Sean Dyche rejects panic signings amid Everton injury woes

Dyche revealed he could have only 14 fit senior players for Saturday's Premier League game at Tottenham and was currently without a recognised full-back.

Skipper Seamus Coleman and James Garner — who can also play at right-back — are both recovering from calf injuries and Nathan Patterson is still working his way back from hamstring surgery.

Ashley Young started last week's 3-0 opening-day home defeat to Brighton on the right side of defence, but is suspended after being sent off and — amid the crisis — Everton have been linked with a move for Newcastle's Kieran Trippier.

But Dyche said: "It's a short-term situation currently. If it becomes long-term that's different, but we've just been unfortunate.

"Youngy's got suspended, Seamus has got a short-term injury, let's hope so, it's seemingly so, he's going well on his recovery now.

"So you're not just going to make a knee-jerk decision because of what might be one game, we're not sure, but it could be just this weekend and we haven't got the finances to do that, obviously.

"It would have to be something we think would add to the group longer term, not just for one game."

Trippier has been reported to want to leave St James' Park after dropping down the pecking order.

The England international, 33, was an unused substitute in Newcastle's opening-day win against Southampton, in which Tino Livramento started at right-back.

Mason Holgate and teenager Roman Dixon remain options to step in for Dyche in that role this weekend.

Among Everton's other absentees is defender Jarrad Branthwaite (groin), while fellow centre-half James Tarkowski is the latest injury doubt before the trip to Tottenham.

Dyche is having to juggle his squad amid continuing takeover speculation, with Crystal Palace joint owner John Textor the latest party to be linked with the Merseyside club.

Former Burnley manager Dyche, who replaced Frank Lampard as Everton's permanent boss in January 2023, added: "What we have learned is you've got to stay steadfast to the cause and what's right in front of you.

"I think we've done that, shown signs of doing that during pre-season. We've had more challenges, mainly with injuries, and obviously losing players and trying to shuffle the pack.

"It's the on-going challenge of what is currently the life at Everton. I don't think there's ever been any easy rides since I've been here.

"We're immediately back to square one where everyone says, 'right, you're not doing this and you're not doing that' and that's life at Everton. That's the way it is."