'No Choice' - Dyche confirms 3 new Everton illnesses ahead of Southampton kick-off

Sean Dyche confirms he had “no choice” but to send out an experimental Everton line up to face Southampton due to illness and injury.

The Toffees boss spoke ahead of the Carabao Cup clash at Goodison Park on 17 September after making eight changes from the side which lost 3-2 at Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Harrison Armstrong and Orel Mangala make their first starts for the club in midfield, while Roman Dixon, Jesper Lindstrom and Jake O’Brien, make their second, and Dwight McNeil looks to be playing as a left-back.

But Dyche told the club’s official website: “We want a group that wants to challenge itself. Unfortunately, we’ve got three down with illness and a number of injuries that we’re going to have to protect so we’ve got no choice for this one.

“It’s the reality of where we’re at and therefore we want players to come in and take on the challenge.”

Jordan Pickford misses first Everton minutes amid exit speculation

The XI may be an uncertain one but after four Premier League losses on the bounce with Dyche showing a rigid commitment to largely the same players he would probably face more flack if he had tried to avoid changes.

Given the relative importance of the cup and the league he, and the fanbase, will hope further fitness and illness issues don’t weaken his options for the trip to Leicester at the weekend, in what is said to be a “pivotal” week amid questions over his job security [i News, 17 September].

The manager has dropped Jordan Pickford for the first time this season amid claims he is unhappy with the England number one’s form and is looking to replace him in January [Alan Nixon, 15 September].

But with star man Jarrad Branthwaite yet to feature this season due to injury it may be the new illnesses that have seen the embattled Michael Keane keep his place.

There is now undoubtedly an opportunity for these players to stake a claim in light of how badly the regulars have faired so far in the top flight.

And it looks like some of them are going to need to make Dyche’s mind up for him ahead of the trip to the King Power, with the ex-Burnley boss so far proving resistant to change despite miserable form.

In other Everton news, sack terms in Dyche’s contract have emerged amid pressure on his job at Goodison.

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