Everton will face Newcastle United at the Hill Dickinson in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with James Garner revealing the players have already spoken among themselves about making a serious run at the trophy.
David Moyes’ side booked their place in the last 16 with Wednesday night’s 1-0 win over Wolves, when substitute Charly Alcaraz scored the winner 10 minutes from time.
Newcastle now stand between Everton and a place in the quarter-finals, with the tie scheduled to be played in the week commencing October 26.
Everton handed Newcastle home tie
The fourth-round draw gives Everton another home game after last night’s victory, although Newcastle will provide a sizeable test of the Blues’ cup ambitions. Garner was relaxed about the draw and says the venue was of little concern to him.
“For me personally, I don’t mind if it is home or away. It is 11 vs 11 on the pitch, but they are a very good side, and we are both Premier League sides, and it will be a good game.”
The midfielder also revealed that Everton’s players had discussed their ambitions for the Carabao Cup before reaching the last 16.
“You want to go as far in the cup as possible, and we spoke among ourselves about wanting to make a good run this year and potentially win it.”
Everton’s wait for a major trophy stretches back to the 1995 FA Cup, while the Carabao Cup is the one major domestic competition the club have never won.
“Of course it has been a long time [since Everton last won a trophy], and it has been a long time. You go out and you start every season hoping for the best. And you want to finish as high as possible and have good cup runs. That is what we set out to do, and I can’t see why we can’t have a good cup run this year.”
Garner focused on getting back to his best
He also discussed his England ambitions during his interview with the Liverpool Echo, having recently returned from injury.
Asked whether he had spoken to England manager Thomas Tuchel, Garner replied: “No, I haven’t.” His immediate priority is getting back to the levels he reached last season.
“It is every boy’s dream. My main focus is getting back 100 percent fit and getting back to the levels that I was last season. I think if I get to those levels, then hopefully the England call-ups will come.”
The Newcastle tie will come later next month. Before then, Garner’s immediate task is continuing to build his fitness as Everton return to Premier League action.
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