Tuesday 12 December 2017 13:04, UK
Sam Allardyce says Everton's hefty injury list is a major concern, as they try to build on their four-match unbeaten run.
Following three wins and a draw in all competitions, the Toffees have sneaked into the top half of the Premier League table and now face a trip to Newcastle on Wednesday.
Although Yannick Bolasie provided the club with a welcome boost by playing for the under-23s on Monday, the former Crystal Palace forward will not be ready to return to action at St James' Park.
"We've got Maarten Stekelenburg, Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley, Ramiro Funes Mori, James McCarthy, Yannick Bolasie - all out," said Allardyce.
"A lot of big players missing from this squad. We're still getting results and will improve even more when these players get back.
"With Bolasie, he'll be eager to get back, like any player who's been out for a long time. My difficulty will be holding him back.
"We need to integrate them back into the squad as soon as possible, which will give me a massive headache, but I'm looking forward to it.
"It's a big problem in defence and when David (Unsworth) put the team together for the West Ham game, there were no defenders on the bench.
"That's why Michael Keane and Phil Jagielka are so important at the moment. And, with our injuries, we have to be 100 per cent to get a result right now."
Looking ahead to their midweek trip to the north-east, the former Newcastle boss says it will be important to try and keep the St James' Park crowd silent.
Allardyce added: "The big test is to nullify their attacking flair because it keeps the crowd quiet. The crowd at Newcastle, when they are in full flow, really urge their players on.
"But if you can keep them quiet and get possession, and frustrate them, then the crowd goes quiet.
"They conceded three against Leicester, so we'll take a look at that."
