Sean Dyche faces a decision on whether to include Nathan Patterson in Everton’s squad for today’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace. The Toffees are still seeking their first league victory, having earned only one point from five games. Injuries and player unavailability have plagued the early part of the season, but Everton expect to welcome back three players from last week’s 1-1 draw at Leicester City.
Jarrad Branthwaite, who was one of Everton’s standout players last season, is expected to make at least the bench. The center-back, who attracted summer interest from Manchester United, underwent groin surgery earlier this summer but faced recovery setbacks. However, after completing 90 minutes for the under-21s in a 4-3 win against Sunderland, Branthwaite is ready for a first-team return. Vitalii Mykolenko is also back after missing two games due to illness, while Idrissa Gana Gueye is available following the death of his father, although Dyche cautioned that Gueye may be slightly lacking in fitness after traveling to Senegal.
Patterson, however, remains a question mark. The Scottish international has been recovering from a severe hamstring injury that required surgery in April. He played 60 minutes for the under-21s against Sunderland, but Dyche emphasized in his pre-match press conference that Patterson’s recovery is progressing more slowly than Branthwaite’s.
Seamus Coleman (calf), Armando Broja (ankle), Youssef Chermiti (foot), and Stanley Mills (knee) remain unavailable.
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