Garbutt's Robins Report

Full-back says former loan club will be up for the Cup.

Luke Garbutt has warned his Everton teammates FA Cup opponents Cheltenham Town will be relishing their top-flight test on Monday evening.

The Blues full-back spent much of last season on loan at Whaddon Road, reaching the League Two play-off final with the Robins.

Having also played in an FA Cup third round tie at Tottenham Hotspur, Garbutt is able to provide an inside track on what David Moyes' side can expect from their hosts.

And speaking to evertontv, the 19-year-old said: "I think Cheltenham will be really up for it. They'll give us a game, that's for sure and the fans will be up for it as well.

"Knowing all the lads down there, they will be keen to put a good show on for the TV and also, with Everton being a Premier League side, they'll want to try and cause an upset.

"When we played Tottenham last season, the side were doing well in the league and the lads were really confident going into it.

"Obviously with the calibre of a team like Tottenham, they could probably field two sides that could beat Cheltenham, but we had nothing to lose.

"That will be the same on Monday. The Cheltenham players can go out there and express themselves and I think they'll give us a good game."

With the only previous meeting between Everton and Cheltenham being a testimonial friendly in 1990, knowledge of the opposition could prove invaluable - and Garbutt is all too happy to provide.

He said: "I think their manager has brought in one or two players since I was there, but the bulk of the team is pretty much the same.

"[Kaid] Mohamed on the left - he's quite quick and direct. [Jermaine] McGlashan on the other side is a threat, and then you've got Marlon Pack in the centre who can distribute the ball well. They're the danger men in the team.”

Sadly for Garbutt, the game is one he’ll be forced to watch from the sidelines having been ruled out through injury. But while he will be disappointed not to be involved, he was keen to pay thanks to those who nurtured him during his spell at Whaddon Road.

"It helped me massively," he said. "Playing week in and week out in the Football League has helped me as a player and a person.

"I've been a bit unfortunate this season with injuries but before that I was doing quite well and made my Everton debut in the Capital One Cup.

“I'm now on my way to recovery and, hopefully, when I get back fit, I can start pushing on."