Everton return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to Hull City, and manager David Moyes has decisions to make on Vitalii Mykolenko and Tyrique George. The Blues are unbeaten in their first seven matches of the season and face the Tigers at the KC Stadium in a 2pm kick-off.
Most attention remains on off-field matters, including transfers and potential takeovers, but the clash offers a chance to maintain that impressive start. Our Blues writers have selected their starting XIs for the contest.
Mykolenko fitness and left-back options
Chris Beesley says Moyes has indicated Mykolenko has a chance to play, so he would stick with the Ukraine international, who has featured in every minute so far this term at left-back. If the 27-year-old does not make it, Beesley prefers James Garner to move into the role rather than Jarrad Branthwaite, whose hamstrings limited him to just 10 outings last season.
Presuming Garner stays in midfield, Beesley would pair him with Harrison Armstrong, who has done well in Christian Norgaard's absence. Moyes has said that despite Norgaard's return to fitness and a 45-minute outing in a 3-3 draw against Blackburn Rovers behind closed doors nine days ago, the former Denmark international still needs time to get up to speed.
Wide attacking changes considered
Beesley would make a change on the right flank, believing Tyrique George deserves a start ahead of Brennan Johnson. Jack Grealish's return ensures he is the main man on the left again, but the former Chelsea starlet showed with his goal against Manchester United that he can be effective on the opposite side. His team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Connor O'Neill says selection all comes down to whether Mykolenko is fit enough to start. If he is not, Garner would move to left-back, with Hayden Hackney taking his place in midfield. If Mykolenko is fit, O'Neill would be unchanged from the team that beat Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium last time out, though he admits that is harsh on Tyler Dibling and George, who have both impressed this season. His team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Injury news and team stability
Paul Wheelock notes that amid questions about The Friedkin Group's decision to put Everton up for sale, Moyes gave positive injury news at Friday's press conference. While not saying for certain he will be fit, the boss indicated Mykolenko has every chance of featuring. That is important because the Ukrainian is in excellent form and it means Moyes would not have to rejig his side too much. It also seems Norgaard, though over his injury, is not quite ready to go straight into the team.
If Mykolenko is ruled out, Wheelock's preference would be for Garner to drop to right-back, with Norgaard taking his position in midfield and Ainsley Maitland-Niles shifting to left-back. But he feels that is too much tinkering to a team unbeaten in their first seven matches. So, if Mykolenko makes it, he would be unchanged, although that is slightly harsh on Dibling, who appears a different player this season. His team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Armstrong; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
