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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

Frank Lampard faced with Everton formation dilemma and crucial new striker decision

Frank Lampard could be faced with some interesting selection decisions ahead of his side's League Cup trip to Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening.

Everton fans are desperate for success and the importance of any cup competition of course can't be diminished. They will have to take their match very seriously in midweek, despite placing a lot of importance on picking up points in the early stages of this Premier League season.

However, undoubtedly there's an opportunity against lower league opposition to try and switch things up a little bit. Whether that is in terms of the formation or by giving other players in the squad an opportunity to shine, Lampard could well be tempted to shuffle his pack.

READ MORE: Tom Cannon sets out Everton first-team aim after signing new contract

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In goal, it seems plausible that Jordan Pickford would be handed a rest and that Asmir Begovic could be given an opportunity to keep himself sharp between the posts. He could be called upon at any stage this term in the event of an injury or suspension, and so keeping him in top condition is in Everton's best interests.

In defence, this could be a good opportunity to bring Seamus Coleman back into the line-up for the first time as he recovers from his injury - with the club captain named on the bench at the weekend against Nottingham Forest. Ruben Vinagre could also have his sights set on an appearance here, as could Reece Welch as he continues to be involved in first team training.

That could see Nathan Patterson, Vitalii Mykolenko and potentially Conor Coady dropping to the bench - with James Tarkowski or Mason Holgate perhaps kept in the line-up to help marshal the back line.

The other centre-back, meanwhile, could be dropped to the bench in preference of a change of system in midfield. Everton fans have been looking forward to seeing a 4-3-3 system for some time, although Lampard does not seem to believe he has the personnel to make a success of it in the Premier League as of yet.

A sitting pair of Lewis Warrington and Amadou Onana could potentially add an exciting element to this match, while also giving the pair the chance to impress in the first team and keep themselves as physically fit as possible. In front of them, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Alex Iwobi again preferred as he looks one of the fittest players in the squad, and has arguably been the most impressive man at the club so far this season.

Up front is where there could also be some interesting decisions made. Tom Cannon has just signed a new three-year contract with the club and has the aim of playing for the first team in the future, but will this match be deemed as just a little too early for him?

Salomon Rondon is lacking match fitness seemingly as it stands and could perhaps do with the minutes under his belt which could see him preferred through the centre, while Dwight McNeil could come into the side in his natural position from the flank. He was used as a striker from the bench at the weekend, but looks much more effective when playing from the right and cutting inside.

On the other wing, it seems there will be a toss-up over Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray - and perhaps the pair will share the game time pretty evenly given their huge efforts against Forest at the weekend. Another youngster in Stanley Mills could offer a wide threat too, of course.

Whether Lampard opts for these sweeping changes or not is yet to be seen, but it seems clear that interesting options are available to the manager in midweek.

Potential Everton XI: Begovic; Coleman, Welch, Tarkowski, Vinagre; Warrington, Onana, Iwobi; McNeil, Rondon, Gordon

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