Retour
David Moyes speaks to Jack Grealish during Everton's draw with Manchester United(Image: Tony McArdle - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images)
Everton and Newcastle United go head to head for the second time in four days on Monday night. The big Sky Sports-live Premier League clash at St James' Park (8pm kick-off) comes hot on the heels of Thursday's Carabao Cup tie between the clubs at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Blues won that one 3-1 thanks to goals from James Garner, Hayden Hackney and top-scorer Thierno Barry to set up a quarter-final showdown at Fleetwood Town.
The result also lifted morale at Everton after back-to-back Premier League defeats and upped the pressure on the Magpies, who have now have lost four of their last six matches.
Newcastle paid the price on Thursday for poor finishing. And they may have to make a change up front with the striker who started against the Blues, William Osula, rated as doubtful for Monday's contest.
Osula was substituted at half-time after hurting his ankle following a brilliant and fair challenge by home captain James Tarkowski, which denied the Magpies forward a certain goal.
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Afterwards Newcastle manager Matias Jaissle said: “Will Osula was not able to continue; he twisted his ankle on that occasion when he took the shot. It's too early at the moment (to say if he will be available to play).”
Osula was replaced by Yoane Wissa, who would be line to start the league meeting between the teams. But the DR Congo international suffered a frustrating second half and Jaissle could be tempted to start winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo in a central attacking position.
The £51m summer signing has missed the Magpies' last two games through illness but it is hoped he will return on Monday.
Definitely out for Newcastle are goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen and full-back Valentino Livramento while midfielder Lewis Miley is rated as doubtful.
In contrast, Everton have a clean bill of health with all 18 outfield members of their small first-team squad being free of injury.
That's because Jarrad Branthwaite will be available again after sitting out the Carabao Cup victory over the Magpies and Premier League loss at Arsenal due to concussion protocol.
The centre-back collided with Emiliano Martinez in Chelsea’s league win at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17. It was an incident that resulted in the Argentinian goalkeeper going to hospital after suffering a fractured jaw and led to Branthwaite being forced to miss the two matches that followed.
Jarrad Branthwaite receives treatment after his collision with Emiliano Martinez during Everton's home loss to Chelsea (Image: PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images)
But when asked about the defender's availability for Monday's encounter, Blues boss David Moyes said: “Jarrad should have recovered from his concussion and also the time scale, which we had to abide by.”
However, Moyes remained tight-lipped about the absence of Jack Grealish following Thursday's tie.
Everton confirmed before kick-off that Grealish had been omitted from the squad due to a disciplinary breach and the ECHO understands this was due to him not turning up for a scheduled training session.
Moyes said: “You probably know I am not going to give any details. It is a club decision and I support it.” Asked if he felt let down by Grealish, the manager added: “It is something I don’t want to speak too much about.”
The incident could have proven a distraction for the Blues, but Moyes was pleased with how remainder of his squad coped. He said: “The one thing about Everton is that they have got real good values, all the players stand behind it and accept the values, on the pitch and off the pitch. I think the players did a good job tonight, it is a small squad but we are doing our best to keep challenging.”
Having been disciplined by the club, it now remains to be seen if Grealish returns on Monday - and if he does, whether he dislodges youngsters Tyrique George or Tyler Dibling from the starting line-up.
Moyes' pre-match press conference took place immediately after Thursday's game.