Sean Dyche could just have been handed Everton blessing in disguise for international break

Everton have been slowly but surely improving under Sean Dyche in recent weeks, winning three of their last four matches in all competitions.

This form has seen the Blues climb away from the bottom three, and book their place in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup, helping to ease fans' fears of another season of struggle.

It has also seen Everton go into the international break on a high. And it is an international break that will see Dyche lose just five members of his squad to full international duty, though the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite will be in youth action. Only Sheffield United, who languish at the bottom of the Premier League, have fewer players on international duty.

Some members of the Blues squad will have to improve their form to be considered for call-ups while injuries to the likes of club captain Seamus Coleman, who turns 35 today, have also contributed to the low number of international selections.

Sean Dyche and Carlo Ancelotti Everton predictions can come true as Seamus Coleman reaches milestone

Everton go from last to first as they top the Premier League for stat Sean Dyche says 'is a marker'

However, in the short term, could it be a blessing in disguise for Dyche? First up after the international break is the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield, kicking off at 12.30pm on Saturday, October 21.

This two-week window will allow the Everton manager to work with his players to formulate a gameplan to defeat the Reds for only the second time in Jurgen Klopp’s tenure. The Blues' last derby victory came back in February 2021 under the stewardship of Carlo Ancelotti.

Klopp, on the other hand, has a host of players flying out to represent their nations over the next fortnight. His cluster of South