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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Sean Bradbury & Chris Beesley & Adam Jones

Everton line-ups against Wolves - Cenk Tosun starts with Richarlison decision made

'Richarlison up front with Gylfi Sigurdsson at No. 10'

Adam Jones: Missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be a big enough blow for Carlo Ancelotti in this game.

So, he'll have to hope that Richarlison is fit to start - because to be without both would be an absolute nightmare for Everton.

If the Brazilian does pass his late test, he should start up front. Cenk Tosun scored last time out, but he looked absolutely shattered towards the end of the match.

Gylfi Sigurdsson should return to the No.10 role with James Rodriguez taking his position on the right flank again, which pushes Alex Iwobi to the left hand side to support Lucas Digne both going forward and defensively.

Abdoulaye Doucoure proved that he absolutely has to start after his appearance from the bench at the weekend, and should partner Tom Davies as he didn't play the whole 120 minutes last time out.

Yerry Mina similarly performed well as a substitute in the FA Cup and should be next to Michael Keane in defence - which leaves Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey as back up this time around.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne; Doucoure, Davies; Rodriguez, Sigurdsson, Iwobi; Richarlison.

'Mason Holgate in at right-back'

Chris Beesley: Rotherham gave the world the Chuckle Brothers but they also gave Everton an almighty scare in their FA Cup third round tie on Saturday and you can imagine there weren't many laughs from Carlo Ancelotti on the sidelines.

After being forced into extra time and two hours of play against the Championship strugglers, the Blues boss must now assess which of his players are fit enough to start against Wolverhampton Wanderers just three days later.

With left-back Lucas Digne having made an earlier than anticipated return from injury, Everton now have four centre-backs competing for just two berths.

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I'd handle that situation by restoring Mason Holgate - an unused substitute at the weekend - to the side at right-back given that 32-year-old captain Seamus Coleman went the distance against the Millers.

Yerry Mina, who was also on the bench but came on for Digne after 66 minutes, gets the nod at the heart of defence alongside Michael Keane given that while he and Ben Godfrey both played the full 120 minutes, the former Norwich City moved to full-back after the Frenchman's exit which involved more running.

There's an opposite dilemma in midfield with Andre Gomes and Tom Davies seemingly both playing themselves out of contention and as a result, both are dropped.

My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Holgate, Digne, Mina, Keane; Doucoure, Sigurdsson; Iwobi, James, Richarlison; Tosun.

'Cenk Tosun in with Richarlison switch an option'

Sean Bradbury: Let's start with the most pressing concern, which is replacing Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

I would go with Cenk Tosun from the start to see if he can carry a bit of momentum into this one after his goal at the weekend.

Switching it to Richarlison up front to present a different problem as the game progresses could be an option.

That is, of course, provided the Brazilian wins his fitness battle.

James Rodriguez completes a forward three with Tom Davies, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gylfi Sigurdsson in behind.

Jordan Pickford is in goal, with a backline of Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Lucas Digne.

My team (4-3-3): Pickford; Holgate, Mina, Keane, Digne; Doucoure, Davies, Sigurdsson; Rodriguez, Tosun, Richarlison.

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