Moyes' George Debut Verdict & Team News For Fulham Clash

Vitalii Mykolenko is fit and available and Tyrique George could make his Everton debut when the Blues take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off).

The Toffees head to the capital to take on the Cottagers, who currently sit one place above them in the Premier League table only on goals scored, with an identical points tally and goal difference.

Speaking in Friday's pre-match press conference at Finch Farm, boss David Moyes revealed transfer deadline day signing George – who joined the Toffees on an initial loan deal from Chelsea – will be included in this weekend's matchday squad.

Mykolenko has resumed full training after missing the 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, but Jack Grealish remains sidelined, having suffered a stress fracture of his foot last month.

Discussing the addition and readiness of George, Moyes said: "I think he's settling in fine. He's had a few days' training with us now. He's an exciting young player, which we hope he'll be able to show in the coming weeks and months.

"He's played a lot of first-team football with Chelsea, whether that be in the [UEFA] Conference League etc. He's still a young player, obviously. It gives us some back-up with the injury to Jack Grealish and, because of that, it gives us an extra player that we required."

On Mykolenko's fitness, Moyes continued: "He's back training, so he's back and in the squad. He's fit and available."

Finally, asked about Jarrad Branthwaite, who made his first start of the season last time out against Brighton following a long-term hamstring injury, Moyes added: "He's been good, Jarrad, because he got 45 minutes last week, then the best part of 80-85 later in the week. 

"We're pleased with Jarrad. I thought he played ever so well last week. We have to keep an eye on him and keep looking after him at the moment because he's only just back, but it's great to have him back."

The Opposition

Former Everton and current Fulham boss Marco Silva will be without midfielder Saša Lukić, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Elsewhere, January recruit Oscar Bobb faces a late fitness check before deeming whether or not he could make his Cottagers debut, while striker Rodrigo Muniz could be back after returning to training last week following a hamstring issue.