Sean Dyche lays down Everton challenge ahead of Newcastle United clash

Sean Dyche has challenged his players to lay down a marker against Newcastle United on Tuesday night. The Toffees head to St James’ Park without a win in their last 12 league outings and sit just three points above the relegation zone - with another Premier League points deduction for breaching financial rules looming over them.

Despite their poor form, Dyche’s side will take heart from their 3-0 win in the reverse fixture back in December and the 52-year-old is hopeful that his team can upset the odds and come away from St James’ Park with all three points.

Dyche said: "Newcastle have had a great result and they're a good outfit - we know that. We did a really good job tactically and with the delivery of the performance against them earlier in the season.

"We can't rely on that, but it's a good marker that it's achievable to take these games on. It's no easy task. We've got a pretty experienced group, a few are learning as they go, but we expect to go there and deliver a performance. We've had a knock ourselves and now it's about correcting that."

The hosts will be without club-captain Jamaal Lascelles after it was confirmed he suffered an ACL injury during the win over West Ham on Saturday. There are also major doubts over Miguel Almiron and Tino Livramento after they also left the field with injury at the weekend. Everton, meanwhile, will definitely be without Arnaut Danjuma for their trip to the north east.