Seamus Coleman has heaped praise on Everton manager Sean Dyche for implementing "old school principles" which have led to a real positive shift in the squad's mentality. 

The captain made his long-awaited return from a knee injury last month against Newcastle United but picked up a further niggle in that contest, forcing him to miss Everton's next five matches. 

He returned to the side as a second-half substitute against Wolves in late December and completed his first full 90 minutes of the campaign in the battling 0-0 FA Cup draw away to Crystal Palace last week. 

The Blues had to dig deep to secure a positive result in that game after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was unjustly sent off for a challenge with a little over 10 minutes of regular time remaining. 

The red card has since been successfully overturned, however, Coleman praised the resilience of the group to see that fixture out before crediting the influence of Dyche and his methods of coaching. 

"I do see resilience in the group," Coleman told evertonfc.com. "When the manager came in, that was something that excited me about him. He is a bit old school in a way, which is actually a good thing: old school principles around the building; how you train; how you treat each other.

"That’s something I relate to and it’s something that I was glad to see come back in. You’re starting to see the lads really buy into his way of working. You either fit in or that’s it – you’re not going to be a part of it.

"It is good to see that determination and that steely side to the players. The manager and his staff have to take credit for that, as well."

After a hectic schedule in which the Blues played nine games in the space of just over a month, the Toffees have been bestowed a welcome 10-day break ahead of Sunday's return to Premier League action against Aston Villa at Goodison Park (2pm GMT). 

Coleman admitted it's been nice for the squad to get a period in which to recharge, but stated the team will be ready and raring to go again this weekend.

On getting a break, he explained: "It’s important – more so for the boys out there, like Tarky, Jarrad, Myko, and Jordan, who have rolled out performance after performance.

"They get a couple of days to relax and recharge and get themselves ready to go again for the second part of the season.

"It’s always nice (to have a break) and the manager is very good like that. We work hard and then he gives us time off at the right time. We've had a couple of days now to ourselves, and to enjoy with our families. Now it's time to get ready to go again."