Another quick turnaround for Everton as the Toffees return to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for a battle against Nottingham Forest.
David Moyes has not had it easy over recent weeks, with a number of players unavailable through injuries and suspensions.
The last outing at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was one to forget for Everton, after Newcastle United ran riot on Merseyside.
Tim Iroegbunam frustrated Moyes on the south coast as his fifth yellow card of the season earned him a one-game suspension for Forest’s visit.
With Idrissa Gana Gueye serving his final game of his suspension, Moyes has been left extremely light in midfield.
Changes were always going to be forced on Moyes and the 62-year-old was handed some positive injury news.
What do you make of today’s starting XI? 👏
Everton's starting XI to face Nottingham Forest
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Michael Keane makes Everton starting XI
Michael Keane missed the Bournemouth win through injury and Moyes admitted the centre-back was not certain to play during his Friday press conference.
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The Scot shared the reasoning behind Keane’s absence earlier in the week, but suggested that a decision ahead of the Forest game may go down to the wire.
Let us know who you think will be the biggest miss 😫
Everton could be without six first-team players vs Nottingham Forest 🤕
Everton's injury report for their game against Nottingham Forest.
Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA.
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Moyes has praised Keane massively over recent weeks as he continues to fill in for the absent Jarrad Branthwaite.
Having the 32-year-old defender back allows Jake O’Brien to return to his usual spot at right-back.
With O’Brien back out at full-back, Nathan Patterson’s Everton future remains in serious doubt ahead of January.
James Garner returns to midfield
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall shone in a deeper midfield role earlier in the week during the victory away to Bournemouth.
He was always going to keep his spot, but it was going to be an interesting decision who would partner him.
What type of reception does Sean Dyche deserve on Saturday? 🤐
“The Toffees are a strong bunch in many ways, it may be good, bad or indifferent [the reaction he gets], but they know deep down the work that we did.
“I know there is plenty of them because they all came and told me.”
Sean Dyche on how he will be welcomes back to Everton.
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With Keane returning to the side, it has freed up a lot of options for Moyes and James Garner has gone back to his natural spot in the middle.
What a partnership this could potentially form for the coming months.
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