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Ahead of Everton’s trip to Wolves on Saturday, opposition manager Julen Lopetegui has hinted at playing a rotated starting XI for the game.
Safe from relegation, Wolves currently sit in 13th place – nine points away from the bottom three, but 17 points away from a European qualification place.
As quoted in the Liverpool World, Lopetegui responded: “Why not? Of course,” when asked at his pre-match press conference if some members of the squad still have time to change his mind on their futures.
“Each match is important, we are competing in the Premier League, so we have to put our best foot forward to compete well.
“Maybe it will be a chance for different players to show their level. After we will take decisions – after the two matches, but not before. I hope (it will be a motivation for the players) – the match and the competition deserve this, and our fans, too.
“I hope each player that plays is going to be ready, above all because we are going to play against a very good team that is fighting to survive. This is an important enough reason to fight and compete until the end.”
Meanwhile, Sean Dyche has played down the potential psychological advantage of his side featuring before their relegation rivals during this weekend’s Premier League schedule.
The Blues play on Saturday afternoon, while Nottingham Forest take on Arsenal on Saturday evening. Leeds United face West Ham on Sunday afternoon and Leicester City will play Newcastle United on Monday night.
Quoted by the Liverpool ECHO, the Everton manager was asked in his pre-match press conference about the benefit of playing first.
“You can look at it either way, I’ve been on either side of it,” Dyche replied. "Last club, this club, whether you feel the game is on the right day or wrong day, that’s just the way it goes, the schedule is what it is, you have to deal with it.
“I didn’t dismiss it; I was just suggesting that the format is what it is. From my point of view, whenever the game is, it’s about taking it on.
“I think we’ve just stayed very clear-minded trying to take away the layers of noise around our group to make sure we’re focused on the game. That’s all we look to do; others can do however they wish.”
Reiterating his stance on ignoring the league standings until the season is concluded, Dyche added: “It’s not about the league table at this stage, I’ve said it for weeks, the one at the end of the season is the most important.
“Of course, we all debate it and look at it during a season, of course we do, but the one at the end of the season, that’s the most important, the one we’re looking to be above the line on.”
