Joe Thomas: The temptation is to start Neal Maupay, but I would hold him back for the second half. Everton showed attacking promise in spells at Brentford and the mobility of Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon was crucial to that. Both have scored in recent games from reading well-placed balls over the top.
Amadou Onana is going to be some player and he was a serious presence in the midfield on Saturday. He needs time to get up to full match fitness and gain Premier League experience but - considering Everton’s difficulties in central midfield and his performances to date - he retains his spot.
READ MORE: Everton set to rival Arsenal for versatile forward following '£25m verbal request'
READ MORE: ' See how they deal with that' - Rio Ferdinand sends message to Anthony Gordon following Frank Lampard warning
Michael Keane is the natural replacement for the injured Mason Holgate. That would probably be my move too, but I’m really intrigued at the idea of Vitalii Mykolenko playing on the left of a centre back three and bringing Ruben Vinagre in at left wing back. Frank Lampard has suggested this as a potential option and I think Vinagre’s attacking instincts may better suit the formation used so far, with Mykolenko’s defensive capabilities not being lost to the side if he moves to centre back.
That might be something to look at in future games though. This is an important tie for the Blues so I’d be hesitant to try anything that hasn’t already been worked on. Maupay would start for me had he arrived earlier and had more time to work with the squad, but his presence means Everton would now have a genuine attacking threat on the bench for the later stages.
My team (5-4-1): Pickford, Mykolenko, Keane, Coady, Tarkowski, Patterson; Onana, Iwobi; McNeil, Gordon, Gray.
Matt Jones: Another injury means more defensive instability for Frank Lampard and Everton to cope with.
Already this season the Toffees have fielded five different centre-backs over the course of the opening four games. In Mason Holgate, the latest to succumb to a problem, they’ve arguably lost their most impressive defender so far too.
Nevertheless, with tricky fixtures coming up tonight then against Liverpool and Arsenal, it might be an ideal time to reintroduce the leadership of Seamus Coleman - who will be the sixth centre-back to get a go - to the XI. There will come a time when Everton switch to a more enterprising 4-3-3 setup or perhaps when Vitalii Mykolenko can move infield to utilise the more technical talents of Ruben Vinagre - but ahead of these challenging matches doesn’t feel like the right time to make that positive shift.
In midfield, Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi seem safe bets, provided the former isn’t too jaded from his first Premier League start on Saturday.
Further forward, Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon will surely flank new man Neal Maupay. The latter of that trio has riled the Elland Road faithful frequently in his career so far. More of the same please, Neal.
My team (5-4-1): Pickford; Patterson, Coleman, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gordon, Onana, Iwobi, Gray; Maupay
READ NEXT
-
Frank Lampard has two big questions to answer ahead of trip to Leeds United
-
Ben Brereton Diaz claim as time running out in search for Everton reinforcements
-
Anthony Gordon exit chances looking 'slim' as Everton ask sponsor to remove imagery
-
Everton fans drown out Brentford PA system as angry words exchanged in dugout
-
Richarlison triggers fresh Jamie Carragher criticism as 'Everton fans' claim made
