Overview
- Everton will host Newcastle United at Hill Dickinson Stadium in a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie on Thursday, 29 October.
- The Blues have around 15 senior outfield players available after Jarrad Branthwaite entered concussion protocols and Vitalii Mykolenko and Jack Grealish are doubts, leaving fitness checks unresolved.
- With full-back options limited, managers have predicted James Garner to fill in at left-back and midfielders to cover wide defensive roles in a makeshift 4-2-3-1 that stretches Everton's depth.
- Newcastle arrive on the back of a 2-0 win at Crystal Palace and are expected to rotate smartly while still fielding a strong side with Yoane Wissa projected to start, and 7,732 away tickets will lessen Everton's home edge.
- The cup tie is a rare chance for silverware for Everton and the congested schedule, including a Premier League rematch on 2 November, means squad choices here could affect both short-term results and player workload after a thin transfer window and scrutiny of ownership decisions.