Nathan Patterson should get an opportunity to build on his solid display at Burnley with a start against Fulham.

Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman, who have both also started at right back this season, missed the win at Turf Moor through injury and it is unclear whether either could be back for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final.

But with Patterson fresh after having playing limited minutes this season and going into the match following a positive second half against Chelsea then 90 minutes on Saturday, the defender has made a strong case to retain his place.

That may be one of the easier decisions for Sean Dyche, who will be boosted for the match by the return of at least two key players.

Dyche was forced to make four changes to his starting line-up at Burnley, and to change formation as well. Young, Coleman and Vitalii Mykolenko were absent through injury and Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye were serving one match suspensions after each picking up five yellow cards. Abdoulaye Doucoure was pulled off at half time after feeling a “tightness” in his hamstring.

What options will be available for Dyche are currently unclear. Mykolenko and Doucoure were each described as “touch and go” as Everton look to beat a Fulham side that has won at Goodison Park twice already in 2023. Should Doucoure be injured, Gueye will be the obvious replacement. Branthwaite will be an option at the back and so could return for one of Ben Godfrey or Michael Keane. Both were excellent at Burnley.

Godfrey also offers an option at left back if Dyche wishes to return to a back four and push Dwight McNeil further forward. The match could also represent an opportunity for Beto and Arnaut Danjuma, who have both had minutes limited due to the form of those in front of them. Dyche is planning to name a strong side for the match but may see Fulham as opportunity to give Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison or Dwight McNeil a break.

One player Everton will not have to contend with is Fulham striker Raul Jimenez. The forward hit the post at Goodison earlier this season and has found form in a series of recent impressive results but was sent off in his club’s defeat at Newcastle United at the weekend.