Ten Hag's team news for Toffees test

The classy France international missed the trip to Omonia Nicosia but has a chance of being fit for the 19:00 BST kick-off at Goodison Park.

However, manager Erik ten Hag has ruled Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek out of the game, and he will obviously be keeping his cards close to his chest with regards to any changes on the back of the 3-2 victory in Cyprus, which featured goalscoring contributions off the bench by Marcus Rashford (2) and Anthony Martial.

"It's difficult to say," admitted Ten Hag, when asked about the team news for the Toffees test.

"Raphael Varane makes progress, and I hope he's available, but I think it will be close.

"From the other players, Harry Maguire [is] not [available] and then it's Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Donny van de Beek, both not [fit]."

Van de Beek is getting closer to a comeback after not featuring since coming on in the 86th minute of August's 2-1 victory over Liverpool.

"He had a muscle injury and so it takes him a couple of weeks," added Ten Hag. "He's back on the training grass so he's outside, doing his work, but still individual. He's not returned to team training so we have to wait for that moment."

Martin Dubravka returned to the squad for the Omonia trip, while Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams have been described as "longer term" absentees. 

Rashford and Martial's performances off the bench suggest they are pushing for inclusion in the XI, although the latter is still being eased back gently from injury. There are obviously other decisions to be made by the boss for a key fixture on Merseyside.

EVERTON'S TEAM NEWS

Influential keeper Jordan Pickford returned from injury to help the Toffees win at Southampton and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is available again after a long lay-off.

"Yeah, he [Calvert-Lewin] is in contention," explained manager Frank Lampard. "Let's see how match-fit he is but he's better in terms of his injury. It's a really good boost."

The home side are set to be without Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina and Andros Townsend, while Nathan Patterson was carried off when representing Scotland during the UEFA Nations League tie with Ukraine and is missing for a number of weeks.

Lampard added: "Mina and Holgate are in training but this weekend will be too early for both of them, definitely Mason.

"I hope for a good week's training next week and then they can be in contention from then on."

Seamus Coleman replaced Patterson for the Saints success, with ex-Reds Michael Keane and James Garner among the substitutes. Star man Anthony Gordon also started on the bench, before coming on for the final 16 minutes, but is expected to be back in the XI after illness.

Demarai Gray is also a contender to play, after he was another who was feeling unwell last weekend.