In a relatively small Everton squad, right-back seems to be the one position up for grabs.
But just who should Sean Dyche go with for the remainder of the season?
Members of the ECHO sportsdesk have their say...
Joe Thomas - This would be a different argument without the deduction
I want to see Nathan Patterson get a genuine chance but that opportunity is not forthcoming at the moment. He appears to be Dyche's fourth choice at right back but is the best potential long-term solution to that area. He started last season so well and I remember his Merseyside derby performance and believing he had made a big stride in his development. Injuries have hampered him since. If Everton were mid-table it would be easy to give him a long run before the end of the season to see if consistency could help him re-find his form and then, either way, everyone would know where they stand come the summer. Everton do not yet have that luxury though and it is tough to see Dyche presenting Patterson with a starting berth anytime soon. Ben Godfrey has done well on the right of the defence recently but I see his strengths elsewhere. That leaves Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman and Coleman wins that battle for me. His footballing intelligence and awareness is superb and his leadership qualities are useful on the pitch at all times, especially when Everton are in a fight. I hope Patterson gets an opportunity this season but until Everton have made enough progress for Dyche to potentially consider that, it's Coleman for me.
Chris Beesley - New lease of life for Coleman
So far this season, other than the trio of Amadou Onana, Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye vying for two central midfield berths, Everton’s strongest XI has more or less picked itself
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