Abdoulaye Doucoure is set to make his return against Newcastle United tomorrow night after serving a three-match ban for his red card against Tottenham.
Blues manager Sean Dyche will be hoping the midfielder’s return can galvanise the team and get some much needed points on the board in a bid to fight relegation.
Dyche said: “He’s the driving force behind the team unit but we want the whole team to be like that.
READ MORE: Everton warned they may face 'biggest financial jeopardy in world football' with £100m loss
READ MORE: Sean Dyche gives triple injury update as late 'decisions' needed for Newcastle
“He was the catalyst in certain games and other players followed that and now we want other players to lead it and him play his part in it.”
Dyche dismissed Doucoure’s red card as an occupational hazard and doesn’t hold it against the Mali international.
“I certainly don’t ask players to make amends for moments in a game.
“I don’t ask players for any reasons. Things can happen in a football match, but you want them to look after themselves when they are not playing and be ready to come back in."
Everton fans will also be buoyed by the return of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Calvert-Lewin hadn’t played since a 1-0 victory against league leaders Arsenal at the start of February - Dyche’s first game as The Toffees boss - but managed 90 minutes at Selhurst Park.
Dyche said: "It's good to see Dom back out there, that's for sure. He got more minutes in than what we thought, the tempo of the game was slightly lower than some, so we could allow that to happen.
"He felt good, obviously, and we were monitoring it during the game. He's recovered from it well in the sense of the physical side of it and the recovery period. He looked sharp again today in training."
Everton host Champions League chasing Newcastle tomorrow night before travelling to the King Power Stadium on Monday night in a crunch relegation tie against Leicester City.
READ NEXT
Yerry Mina may have played final Everton game after repeated Sean Dyche hints
Eddie Howe drops Anthony Gordon hint and gives injury update ahead of Everton
Everton investment latest as 777 Partners source responds to rumours
Sean Dyche reacts to Everton fan plan for bus welcome ahead of Newcastle
Every word Roy Hodgson said in emotional take on Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche and Everton's problems
