Everton are facing a crucial period between now and the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Manchester United travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday, with a spot in the EFL Cup semi-finals on the line.<\/p>\n
Then a frantic spell of Premier League action lies in wait, with Everton now up to fourth after three big wins in a week.<\/p>\n
We spoke exclusively to former Toffees goalkeeper Nigel Martyn about the forthcoming run, and whether players will be rested in midweek to prepare for the hectic league schedule.<\/p>\n
With the quarter-final and so many games coming up, there will be opportunities for fringe players, I think, said Martyn. Maybe not defensively, theres arent many fit.<\/p>\n
But there might be a change up front. Both teams will look to rest players, they have to. Theres so many games. You want to try and give players a rest. <\/p>\n
Thats Carlos job, where is his priority? Getting back to fourth in the league and theres a chance of Champions League, does that become your priority? <\/p>\n
If it does, you then rest players (in midweek) ahead of Sheffield United and Man City.<\/p>\n
You rest your players for that, definitely. On the flip side of that, there hasnt been silverware at Everton for a long time and if youre the manager who delivers that, thats your immortality, he continued.<\/p>\n
It will be a strong team. The one I dont know is I dont know if hell start with Calvert-Lewin. Youve almost got to rest him and hope that Cenk Tosun or whoever plays does it for him.<\/p>\n
Thats the one area. Your stronger squad players, there will probably be three or four of those. <\/p>\n
Defensively itll be a strong team. It is an important game, but he has to make one or two changes because of the amount of games. A game of that importance has come at the wrong time of year, really.<\/p>\n
As Martyn eludes to, the timing of such a big knockout game isnt ideal, so close to the busy Christmas period.<\/p>\n
But it remains a huge game and if United make changes, there could be a major opportunity for Everton to progress into the last four.<\/p>\n
Its a big call for Ancelotti and resting Calvert-Lewin would be as well so it will be interesting to see what he decides to do.<\/p>\n
READ ALSO: Nigel Martyn claims Everton have two choices to replace Digne<\/p>\n
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Here is the original post: Everton are facing a crucial period between now and the end of the year. Manchester United travel to Goodison Park on Wednesday, with a spot in the EFL Cup semi-finals on the line. Then a frantic spell of Premier League action lies in wait, with Everton now up to fourth after three big wins in a week Continue reading
\nExclusive: Nigel Martyn on whether Ancelotti will prioritise EFL Cup or Premier League this week - HITC - Football, Gaming, Movies, TV, Music<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"