Jean-Luc Vasseur has set out Everton’s determination to finish 2021 on a high with a positive result at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (2pm GMT) – and return fresh and ready to “restart” in the new year.

The Toffees travel to the capital to take on Spurs in their final game before the Christmas break.

Victory would see Vasseur’s side move within three points of Tottenham, who currently occupy third place in the Women’s Super League table.

Vasseur revealed Everton have a number of injury concerns for the game and will “maybe only have 14 players” to choose from, but insisted he retains belief his team can rise to the challenge at The Hive Stadium.

“We have the chance to get a good result and, if we do that, we can change everything ahead of next year,” said the Blues boss, who was speaking at his pre-match press conference.

“We are going to do the maximum to prepare this game. 

“I have maybe 14 players and I need to find a good system to create trouble for Tottenham to provide a good organisation.

“We need to be fresh in the mind, clear in the mind and make the best of the situation.

“We want to finish [2021] well before we have a break and then restart in 2022.

“To have a break is important, because the first half of the season has been difficult. 

“It will be good to hopefully start the new year with no injuries – then we can make a strategy for the second half of the season and hopefully get better results.”

Everton go into Sunday’s match on the back of a 2-0 Continental Cup defeat to Manchester United, an outcome which saw the Blues exit the competition.

Vasseur admitted his side were second-best in the contest but highlighted the performance of 18-year-old Grace Clinton as a key bright spark.

“I was satisfied of the game of Grace, who played as a striker,” the Everton manager explained. 

“In the game, the players made a lot of effort, but we were not at the same level [as United]. 

“In this situation, it is important to be positive, and Grace did well.”

With just over a fortnight until the January transfer window opens, Vasseur revealed Everton are prepared to enter the market.

“If there is an opportunity to recruit some players, we will do that,” he added.