Everton face huge dilemmas for Newcastle as David Moyes sweats on three unfit stars

Everton manager David Moyes faces significant selection issues ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Newcastle United due to fitness concerns over three key players. Jarrad Branthwaite and Jack Grealish were sidelined for Saturday's defeat at Arsenal due to concussion and illness, while Vitalii Mykolenko sustained a second-half knock. As a result, Moyes currently has just 15 senior outfield players fit and available for selection.

Potential defensive shortages may force Everton into deploying midfielders James Garner or Merlin Rohl as makeshift full-backs, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jake O'Brien also serving as potential defensive cover. In attack, Thierno Barry remains the team's only recognized senior center-forward, while Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling push for starts on the wings amid limited squad depth following consecutive 2-0 Premier League losses.