Schneiderlin hoping to be fit for the derby

The other alternative to Schneiderlin and McCarthy against Liverpool would be Barry, who would deal a blow to Eerton's chances against the reds. With Barry in the team, Everton would have 4 players in defence with a combined age of 140 years against 4 Liverpool attacking players with a combined age of 100 years, that would give Liverpool 30% more youth and pace over Everton where it matters most, upfront.

Seems like a reasonably intelligent lad to me. Rules are, if your country calls, player must attend. If he plays, I suspect it's because he feels ready; because no one can play with a torn hamstring.

Seems Koeman likes him and wants to look at his training regime more closely.

I hope Morgan is fit but I'd only play him if he's 100%. We don't want another Rodwell fiasco.

As for Schneiderlin, it is typical of the dark forces at work whenever we have to play THEM or visit Hades: whether it's Labone, Southall or Morgan/James, you can bet we lose a key player.

I was apoplectic when Huddlestone took Gana out. That could have been all 3 top DM's in casualty. Let's just hope at least 2/3 are available

As for McCarthy, he should not turn out for his country after injury before playing and being passed fit by us. If he has a recurrence of his injury playing for the Republic then Ron will go ballistic!

Koeman won't suffer fools, and so let's all stay positive and keep on believing and fate could conspire against the RS too.

Know what I mean?

Enjoy the spring (just like I am trying to ) And the next game will be just that. Otherwise we become insane on how the media portray our team or even tell us to be pissed off.

Even TW can be too addictive.

Sorry Michael. See ya tomorrow.

Whilst I'm at it neither should Schneiderlin if he's not fully fit. Cannot see how based on what I saw.

No only do you handicap the team from minute one you waste potential game changing substitutions in the process.

3-5-2

Robles
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori (FFS)
Coleman, Davies, Gana, Barkley, Baines
Mirallas, Lukaku.

Is this the same Keane who today said McCarthy was "very doubtful" for Friday? O'Neill has the final say. That's why he's manager.

Fully fit, this lad fulfills so many roles in the engine room. Not the half sorted version that we've seen for almost 12 months, the real McCarthy.

Many Royal Blues have chosen to forget just how really good he was. Benefit of hindsight, surely he'd been pushing himself when he genuinely needed fixing.

Get him physically right, get him back.
Same with Mo Besic.
Same with Morgan.

We will possibly even probably be playing in Europe next season. No point crocking these lads now, keep them strong. We're going to need them way beyond the next few weeks.

I am based in Sydney.

1. Yes Optus is a good option - it costs $35 for monthly access via a sim card. However you do not actually need to use the sim card. You use the Optus app to view games on your phone, ipad or lap top. Cuts off every now and then but I am pretty happy with it generally.

2. I think so - havent tried so am not sure.

3. There are pubs throughout the CBD which do show games. I was watching at a pub in the Rocks back when carsley scored his winner :) Can't remember the name of that pub unfortunately but it should be easy to find...

Any more questions please feel free to ask. Hope you enjoy your stay in Oz !

There has been much mention of Mccarthy, and Besic as a remote possibility, but for me, I think two key 'must play' choices are Gana, and Tom Davies , while Davies is very much the new kid on the block, I think his determination, will be a major factor, especially against the RS. Gana for me, is a must for every game.

As I have mentioned on here before, there is almost an inevitability about Lukaku leaving us, come the summer, it has also been mooted that Gana is a target for a lot of clubs, home and abroad.

We cannot let Gana go under any circumstances, the lad is pure gold, and seems to want to play for us every game he can, whereas Rom seems to play like he is doing us a favour!

There is no doubt the next two games will be pivotal regarding our final position in the Table, and ultimately, which European Competition, we will be in.

Pity there is another International break, when we have had some momentum, and built up a head of steam, at this crucial juncture.

I stopped watching them after Venables or was it Bobby Robson. Anyway, we can beat Liverpool if we play like we care.

Although it's typical bad luck to get an injury to such a key player before the derby, the international break has come at the right time.

Just hope everyone else comes back from international duty fit and firing.

Let's hope we are close to a fully fit squad because we can beat these if we sack all that manufactured fear and play with pride and aggression.

How earlier are we talking here I remember the derby in Martinez first season when Macca was outstanding, and would play him every week if he could do that again.

But Christ, we need someone in Midfield who is going to offer an offensive threat. Macca has two shots on target a season. But, agree that a little of his attitude in a game like this wouldn't go amiss in a game as frenetic as the derby!

Yes, when skies are grey, there is always one with a silver lining.

It is a myth about club versus country because a player is under no contractual obigations to play for his country of origins. But McCarthy is under contractual obligations to play for Everton.

So, if he keeps getting injured playing for his country of choice, Koeman should fine him a week's wages for every game he misses for Everton, irrespective of FIFA's obligations to pay the player's wages due to injury playing for his country of choice.

As Joe @ 22 pointed out, the win against Arsenal was down to the engine room, bossed by James. He has been pushed further forward by Koeman and against Bournemouth he had an assist and a goal within half-anhour, and was again taken off through injury (I hope we're not seeing another Gibson theme here).

There's no doubt, a fully fit McCarthy is a major driving force in our side, and Koeman thinks so too – I just hope he doesn't become another serial sicknote.