James Tarkowski believes whoever replaces Abdoulaye Doucoure knows what they need to do and has opened up on his partnership with Michael Keane.
Doucoure was sent off during the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on Monday night after pushing Harry Kane in the face during the second-half.
Kane initially fouled Demarai Gray, before Doucoure launched into a challenge with the Spurs man after play had been stopped. Kane immediately tussled with the Everton midfielder, grabbing his shirt.
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But it was Doucoure who lost his cool, pushing his hand into the Tottenham man's face. Kane instantly put his hands to his head and dropped to the floor. And he stayed there as a melee erupted around him.
Blue boss Sean Dyche was seething on the touchline, while Everton supporters chanted 'cheat, cheat' as Doucoure furiously protested, with Seamus Coleman continuing to make his point to the England international after the final whistle.
“To be fair, I didn’t really see it, so you are obviously always going to complain,” Tarkowski said when asked about the incident.
“I have seen an image but not the incident. If you catch someone in the face you normally go off. But it is disappointing because Douc’s has been great for us.”
Doucoure is now set to miss Everton’s next three games, starting this Saturday against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
And when asked about the blow of losing Doucoure, Tarkowski said: "He’s been brilliant, but I will be honest there has been lads right behind him pushing to play week in week out but he's just been performing well.
"I expect whoever comes in to be right at it as well.”
Tarkowski started Monday’s game alongside Keane at the heart of the Everton defence. It was the fifth game in a row that the two former Burnley defenders had started alongside each other.
“We have got a selection of very good players, especially in my position,” Tarkowski replied when asked about his partnership with Keane.
“You’d have to ask the manager for his opinion on the different players, but in my opinion, we have got five or six good centre-halves here.
“Me and Keano are playing together right now, and we just have to keep doing what we are doing. We’ve got nine big games to go, starting Saturday.”
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