Everton player to miss next match against Tottenham

Everton manager Sean Dyche has confirmed in his Thursday afternoon media presser that key central defender James Tarkowski is a "doubt" for Saturday's game with Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

This comes after a trusted Everton insider had reported that the defender had missed Thursday's training after a minor muscular injury.

Highly rated young defender Jarrad Branthwaite missed their season opener against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend, and there has been no talk of him being back for the game against Spurs this weekend.

Everton did sign Jake O'Brien on a permanent deal after a successful season in Ligue 1 with Lyon, and he could be in line to make his debut this weekend. Dyche said last weekend that he didn't pick him due to other players having more "Premier League experience" but his hand could now be forced.

If not, he would have to play Mason Holgate - who had two unsuccessful loans last season, one at then Championship side Southampton, and one at rock bottom of the Premier League Sheffield United.

Tottenham given boost ahead of Saturday

Whoever plays, Spurs will have to take advantage of their two first-choice central defenders, Branthwaite and Tarkowski, likely being out for this game. Those two were regulars in the Everton side last season who boasted the fourth-best defensive record in the Premier League.

Tarkowski is also a threat from set-pieces, and nobody needs to tell about Spurs' struggles in that area.

They have big struggles at right-back too - Ashley Young was sent off last weekend, and Seamus Coleman missed the game after picking up an injury in the Toffees' final pre-season game vs AS Roma.

Coincidentally, they have today been linked with a loan move for former Tottenham Hotspur player Kieran Trippier after it was reported he wanted to leave Newcastle United to be first choice somewhere. Although the deadline to be registered 12PM BST tomorrow, any potential deal would be a race against the clock to be involved on Saturday.