MX23RW : Monday, March 24 06:29:41| >> :120:34026:34026:

Carlo Ancelotti issues rallying cry to Everton squad ahead of Newcastle trip

Carlo Ancelotti issues rallying cry to Everton squad ahead of Newcastle trip
© Reuters
Carlo Ancelotti will be without summer signing and talisman James Rodriguez for the trip to the north east.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has called on his whole squad to pull together and help the club achieve their goals this season.

The Toffees travel to Newcastle on Sunday having been top of the Premier League table heading into the weekend.

Defeat at Southampton last time out ended a fine run of form for Ancelotti's men – who will be without summer signing and talisman James Rodriguez for the trip to the north east.

The Colombia international will be rested, while fellow forward Richarlison is suspended – as is full-back Lucas Digne following his dismissal in the loss at St Mary's.

With captain Seamus Coleman also absent due to a hamstring complaint, Ancelotti will have to shuffle his pack against Newcastle.

That could see the likes of 19-year-old Anthony Gordon come into the side and, when asked about the midfielder, Ancelotti insisted all of his players have to be ready to play their part – no matter how small their role may be.

"The fact we have players out – it is important to know the quality of the squad," said the Italian.

"There is an opportunity for other players to play and show their quality to help the team stay at the top.

"Anthony Gordon has the same possibility to play as the other players in the squad.

"I have to nominate the first XI and I say to the players all the time 'it is not important to be in the first XI. It is important to be involved, to play'.

"It doesn't matter if you play five minutes, you have to help the team in those five minutes. This is what really matters, not to be in the first XI.

"For sure, I am not going to finish with this first XI, it never happened that I started with XI and finished with XI – I am used to using all three substitutions."

Ancelotti did confirm Rodriguez would return to face Manchester United next weekend, with Everton hoping to be at least six points clear of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side heading into the contest.

ID:420510: cacheID:420510:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3590:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce pictured on September 30, 2020
Read Next:
Steve Bruce echoes Mike Ashley's calls for lower pay-per-view prices
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal291610353242958
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest29166749351454
4Chelsea29147853371649
5Manchester CityMan City29146955401548
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29121164842647
8Fulham2912984338545
9Aston Villa2912984145-445
10Bournemouth29128948361244
11Brentford29125125045541
12Crystal Palace2810993633339
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd29107123740-337
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs291041555431234
15Everton2971393236-434
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2997133349-1634
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2975174058-1826
18Ipswich TownIpswich2938182862-3417
19Leicester CityLeicester2945202565-4017
20Southampton2923242170-499


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!