Everton manager Sean Dyche has dropped a selection curveball ahead of his side’s visit to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Toffees travel to the City Ground for a huge relegation six-pointer against Steve Cooper’s Reds, who are four points clear of Dyche’s side, who occupy the final relegation spot following last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.
The Toffees were found wanting at both ends of the pitch against mid-table Villa, prompting Dyche to make a surprise decision for tonight’s game at leaders Arsenal. It saw Michael Keane make his first Premier League start of the season, replacing Conor Coady, on loan from Wolves, in the heart of defence. Keane, who played under Dyche at Burnley, had been cast aside by previous Everton boss Frank Lampard.
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Keane has made just three previous appearances this season, with his only starts coming in the Carabao Cup, most recently in the 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth in November.
You have to go back to last season for the 30-year-old’s previous Premier League start. Coincidently, it also came at the Emirates, where the Gunners romped to a 5-1 victory on the final day of the campaign.
Depending on how tonight’s game goes, Keane could find himself in the Everton line-up to face Forest on Sunday.
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