Everton manager Sean Dyche has backed his club captain Seamus Coleman to step up to the plate for the trip to Manchester City on Stephen's Day.
An injury-affected campaign has seen the Republic of Ireland skipper make just two Premier League appearances to date this season, with the Donegal man's 16-minute cameo in [Sunday's 0-0 draw against Chelsea](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/1222/1487792-premier-league-wrap-toffees-frustrate-chelsea/) marking the first time he has featured for the Toffees since August.
But the 36-year-old is likely to be drafted into action on Thursday when Everton meet out-of-form Man City, due to a yellow-card suspension incurred by fellow veteran full-back Ashley Young, who is also nursing a minor neck injury.
Speaking at press conference on Monday, Dyche said Everton would lean on Coleman's experience even if his match sharpness is not at the optimum level.
"He's been very unlucky this season because he's come in and certainly the fittest I've seen him since I've been here and he's been incredibly unlucky with injury," he said.
"He came pre-season super fit. He made it clear to me at the end of the (last) season that he's going again this season - as in playing - we spoke about his other options and he said, 'No, no, I'm clear-minded that I'm going to continue playing'. He signed another contract and he held his end of the bargain without a shadow of a doubt.
"He came back absolutely super fit. He's been incredibly unlucky with injuries. Yes, he'd probably like to have played more this season but with his depth of experience and his game knowledge, that's certainly favourable to be putting a player in of the strength and professionalism that he has."
Dyche added: "(Seamus) is mentally tough as well, he's our club captain for a reason so I've got no doubt in his ability to play and get back to true fitness."
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Meanwhile, Dyche knows the positivity currently surrounding the club will not last forever and they have to capitalise on the pitch.
Back-to-back goalless draws against Arsenal and Chelsea made it five clean sheets in the last six matches and just two defeats in the last 12.
Thursday's takeover by the Friedkin Group has lifted much of the gloom, and removed their considerable debt levels, and it points to a more optimistic 2025.
However, only three wins all season has left the club just four points above the relegation zone and with little to spend in the transfer window, Dyche accepts he has to harness the feelgood factor immediately.
"This has been an indifferent period for many different reasons. Expectation went higher, spending went lower, which is always a challenge when that happens," he said.
"The outcome on the pitch wasn't as good as we hoped for at the beginning of the season but we found a bit more of a level playing field to build from.
"The ownership seems to have given a more balanced view of the club at the moment, a more positive outlook, which is helpful of course, and then it's for us to keep building on the pitch.
"The new owners' words are just 'stability' and I think that seems to have brought calmness. But that doesn't last forever.
"I think there just seems to be an air of changing the mood about Everton Football Club. It just seems to have lifted things.
"There's still question marks of can we win more, can we score more goals, so we've still got to deliver that.
"But I would say there's a bit more of a positive energy about Everton Football Club."
**Additional reporting: PA**