Everton squad players could get chance in tactical rethink by Sean Dyche

Sean Dyche is set for some interesting decisions as he prepares for Everton’s FA Cup game with Crystal Palace.

Thursday night’s match is the final game of the congested festive fixture schedule and comes with Dyche's side having lost three consecutive Premier League matches.

This is also a team stretched by injury. The tactical changes adopted for the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers were unable to help a tired squad overcome a strong, in-form opposition and Dyche may be forced into a rethink.

Central to the Everton manager's consideration will be whether to use the clash as an opportunity for squad players or as an attempt to kickstart the new year with a win.

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Dyche took the Carabao Cup seriously, even when the Blues’ Premier League form was poor at the start of the campaign. There is every reason to believe he will do the same with the FA Cup and with a 10-day break until the visit of Aston Villa after the trip to Selhurst Park, he may well go strong again.

How strong that can be will depend on the injury situation with Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young all absent from the squad on Saturday. All three started the league win at Palace earlier this season, with Doucoure and Gueye both scoring. Dyche recently said Gueye’s calf issue was still being assessed but that Doucoure was close to a return. Given his importance to the team Dyche may not risk gambling the Mali international even with the break after the match.

The Blues boss played five at the back against Wolves, opting to bring in Michael Keane alongside James Tarkowski and