Dominic Calvert-Lewin absence explained as illness hits Everton squad

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored two goals in the last two games for Everton, is not included in tonight's squad to face Southampton in the Carabao Cup as Blues boss Sean Dyche hands a first start to 17-year-old Scouser Harrison Armstrong. Armstrong's selection is one of eight changes from the 3-2 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Vitalii Mykolenko was forced off in the West Midlands with what Dyche described as illness and Calvert-Lewin, who was also top scorer last season has also been under the weather so he misses out against the Saints with the hope that he can return for Saturday's showdown at Leicester City. The Everton manager confirmed three players are missing with illness; James Tarkowski, James Garner and Idrissa Gueye are also missing.

Unlike in last season's Carabao Cup ties and the previous round against Doncaster Rovers, Joao Virginia starts in goal with first choice Jordan Pickford on the bench alongside Asmir Begovic.

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READ MORE: Everton line-ups for Southampton as Roman Dixon, Jake O'Brien and Abdoulaye Doucoure decisions made

Jake O'Brien, who started against the South Yorkshire side and came on for his Premier League debut on Saturday, is picked in the heart of defence alongside Michael Keane while Roman Dixon, who made his bow at Tottenham Hotspur, comes in at right-back. Despite scoring on Saturday and creating more big chances than any other player in the Premier League so far this season, it looks like Dwight McNeil could be required to play left-back.

Deadline day signing Orel Mangala and Abdoulaye Doucoure, who captains the side also come into midfield, Jesper Lindstrom on the wing and Beto up front.

Team: Virginia, Dixon, O'Brien, Keane, McNeil, Mangala, Armstrong, Doucoure, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, Beto.

Substitutes: Pickford, Begovic, Harrison, Young, Iroegbunam, Sherif, Butterfield, Moonan, Barker.