Could players return on Sunday?

The Toffees’ visit is the first of nine dates in the Reds’ December diary and our head coach is keen to have as many options as possible during the busy Christmas schedule.

Central defence is a particular point of concern at the moment, with Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro all missing the 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw ended the game playing out of their natural position in Ruben’s back three after Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez were substituted.

There is no suggestion the pair had issues, although the Portuguese did admit after the game that Antony – who featured in a new right wing-back role – was taken off due to injury.

More work needs to be done at Carrington before we host the Merseysiders, but the squad could be boosted by the time the 13:30 GMT kick-off rolls around, although the boss was coy on providing exact names.

“Maybe, we have to see,” said Amorim, when asked if anyone was in contention to take on Sean Dyche’s side.

“We have one more training. But maybe if not in the starting XI, they will be on the bench.”

Shaw has returned to the side in the last week, making two substitute appearances against Ipswich Town and Bodo/Glimt.

Those were the first league and continental outings respectively in over nine months for the England international, but his fellow full-back Tyrell Malacia spent double the amount of time in the treatment room before playing for 45 minutes on Thursday night.

After so long out, it was a tough ask for the Dutchman to fulfil the all-action duties of a left wing-back, but Amorim feels he coped admirably.

“It was really huge for him and the confidence of everybody,” Ruben added. “I think he did very well.

“He was more than a year without playing and the way he behaved he was so brave with the ball. I'm really happy with him.”

Kobbie Mainoo was an unused substitute against Glimt, as he awaits his first taste of football since early October, following a muscle complaint.

EVERTON TEAM NEWS

There will be no United reunion for Academy graduate James Garner, who has a back injury, while Tim Iroegbunam is also sidelined.

The trip comes too early for club captain Seamus Coleman (thigh) and Youssef Chermiti (ankle), the striker who scored three goals in 22 appearances under Amorim at Sporting during the 2022/23 season.

However, Armando Broja could be given the first minutes of his loan spell with the Blues. 

The Albania international started for Everton’s Under-21s in their fixture with Nottingham Forest on Friday and prior to kick-off Dyche said: “We’ll see how he gets on today. He’s done a lot of background work and I’ve spoken to him about possibly being involved."