The latest Everton team news, injury update and predicted XI ahead of their Carabao Cup clash with Wolves
Everton are back in action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday evening, as they look to book their place in the fourth round on the Carabao Cup. David Moyes’ side thrashed Preston North End 4-0 in the previous round, and will be confident of their chances of progressing as they take on another side from the England’s second tier.
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Head into the match, the Toffees have relatively few injury concerns to trouble them. Midfielder Christian Norgaard is out of action until after the upcoming international break with a groin injury, while Merlin Rohl looks likely to miss the Wolves game after being ruled out of last weekend’s goalless draw with Spurs due to an unspecified injury.
Other than the two aforementioned issues, it’s a clean bill of health for the Toffees - which is just as well, given how threadbare their squad is following a disappointing summer transfer window. Ahead of Everton’s clash against Wolves - a side they’ve beaten just twice in their last eleven meetings - we’ve taken a crack at naming the most likely XI Moyes will field.
Everton predicted XI vs Wolves: Goalkeeper and defence
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will be looking to impress ahead of the international breakplaceholder image
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will be looking to impress ahead of the international break | Getty Images
GK - Jordan Pickford: England’s number one suffered heartbreak over the summer as the Three Lions crashed out of the World Cup semi-finals, but he’s back and raring to go for his tenth season at Everton. Moyes didn’t opt to field Mark Travers as a ‘cup goalkeeper’ against Preston, which suggests Pickford will keep the gloves for the remainder of Everton’s participation in the competition.
RB - Ainsley Maitland-Niles: This could be the ideal opportunity for Maitland-Niles to play his first full ninety minutes for the club, after being substituted on the 75th minute mark in the draw with Spurs. The ex-Arsenal prospect enjoyed a dream debut against Man United earlier this month, rifling home a long-range equaliser in the sixth minute of additional time.
CB - Michael Keane: Given that Everton haven’t lifted a trophy since 1995, they’re in no position to be fielding a weakened side against Wolves. However, they’ll be wary of overexerting star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite at this stage of the season, and could well opt to save his legs for the weekend and field Keane as they did against Preston.
CB - James Tarkowksi: With 150 Premier League appearances under his belt for the Toffees, the ex-Burnley star is now very much part of the furniture at Everton. The skipper will start in the heart of defence against Wolves, as he continues his quest to win a trophy with his only career honour to date coming with a League One promotion at Brentford back in 2014.
LB - Vitalii Mykolenko: Everton somehow managed to end the summer transfer window with just one recognised left-back in the squad. The Ukraine international’s continued form and fitness is crucial to the Toffees and they could have done with resting him against Wolves, but Moyes is left with little choice but to hand the 27-year-old his sixth start of the season. Mykolenko has played every minute of every Everton game so far in this campaign.
Everton predicted XI vs Wolves: Midfield and attack
Everton's Thierno Barry came close to scoring in their 0-0 draw with Spursplaceholder image
Everton's Thierno Barry came close to scoring in their 0-0 draw with Spurs | Getty Images
CM - Hayden Hackney: The £17m summer signing has been introduced cautiously into Moyes’ XI, with the strength in depth in the position seeing the England U21 international make just one Premier League start so far this season. He missed the game against Preston with injury, but looks likely to make the teamsheet to take on Wolves.
MC: James Garner: Despite playing the full ninety minutes against Spurs, the two-cap England international should get the nod to start alongside Hackney in Everton’s engine room against Wolves. Alternatively, youngster Harrison Armstrong could be deployed, but Moyes should opt for some experience in the middle of the park for this one.
AMR - Brennan Johnson: He hasn’t looked great in the Premier League so far this season, but came off the bench to both score and provide an assist in the win over Preston. Johnson, a two-time European trophy winner, could be handed a start against Wolves over Tyler Dibling.
AMC - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: The 28-year-old had an excellent debut season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, bagging eight goals and providing four assists in the Premier League. He’s the creative hub of Everton’s attacking threat, and should be given the nod to weave his magic in an advanced midfield position against Wolves.
AML - Jack Grealish: Everton were delighted to bring Manchester City’s Jack Grealish back to the club on loan, and he’s set to make his first start of the season against Wolves. His promising start at the club was cut short by a brutal injury in the 2025/26 campaign, and he’ll be champing at the bit to make up for lost time with a big season for the Toffees.
ST - Thierno Barry: Another of Everton’s real failings in the summer transfer window was not managing to improve their striker options. With Beto heading to Fiorentina, Barry is now Moyes’ only recognised centre-forward. The 23-year-old scored a hat-trick in the previous round against Preston, and will be eager to pose a similar threat to Wolves.
Everton predicted line-up vs Wolves: Pickford; Maitland-Niles, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Hackney, Garner; Johnson, Dewsbury-Hall, Grealish; Barry.
Read more:The six Everton transfers that failed on deadline day from hell - including £40m striker and Aston Villa ace