Everton will face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday at Goodison Park.
Ahead of the match, the Toffees will be boosted by the news that Newcastle striker Alexander Isak won’t be playing this game.
Everton will also be without Jarrad Branthwaite for this fixture. But it will be a big boost for Sean Dyche to know that his defenders will not have to deal with Isak’s threat this week.
Isak has been struggling with a broken toe, and the Magpies have been without their influential striker since last month’s 3-1 loss at Fulham.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that the 25-year-old striker will not be available for the game at Goodison Park.
Everton should be aiming for three points against Newcastle United
The Toffees will be confident ahead of this game after picking up their first win of the season last week, when they defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 at Goodison Park.
It will be a big blow for them to miss Branthwaite, who only returned to action last week. Michael Keane has been awful this season, and it remains to be seen if he still gets the nod ahead of Jake O’Brien for this game.
Anthony Gordon, who will return to his old club, and Harvey Barnes remain key players who can hurt Everton and therefore the defence must stay resolute.
Dwight McNeil scored twice in the previous game, but Everton were far from convincing. They were horrible in the first half against Palace, and Newcastle will simply punish them ruthlessly if they make another sluggish start.
They have to be brave, sharp and creative in their approach.
Newcastle will also miss Callum Wilson for this game. The experienced striker has not played at all so far this season due to a back injury, and it leaves the Magpies short of options in their attacking department ahead of this game.
