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Carlisle will be without captain Danny Grainger, who has an ankle injury, when they attempt to cause an FA Cup fourth-round upset against Everton.
On-loan defender Macaulay Gillesphey is likely to keep his place, but midfielder Luke Joyce is suspended.
Everton midfielder Muhamed Besic is not fit enough to feature, while forward Kevin Mirallas will have a late fitness test on a tendon problem.
Joel Robles – the Toffees’ cup keeper this season – will remain in goal.
Editor’s Note: Everton suffered cup misery on Wednessday night after being knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Manchester City they will be hoping their isn’t a repeat of that this Afternoon as they travel to a Brunton Park which is only recently reopened after heavy flooding back in December
Carlisle are the lowest ranked side left in the Competition and are flying the flag for League Two where they currently sit 13th in the table but Today all their focus will be on trying to collect a Premier League scalp
That scalp could be in the form of Roberto Martinez’s side, this competition is now their only realistic chance of European Football next season due to their League underachievement. Winning the F.A. Cup would no doubt paper over the cracks of what has been a frustrating season for The Toffees
It was a frustrating night on Wednesday as the failure by the Assistant Referee to spot the ball going out of the play in the build up to Manchester City’s second was a pivotal moment in the game. That in itself didn’t knock Everton out but it certainly did them no favours
It’s not quite Cup or bust for Martinez but there is certainly a larger growing band of vocal fans who are showing their displeasure at the patchy league form. If Martinez does only finish in the bottom half of the table and no silverware you would have to wonder how much longer will his spell at the Goodison Park helm continue
I would say today is a must win game for Roberto Martinez and he needs to make sure he overcomes the difficult hurdle of a sold out Brunton Park where Carlisle are going to be pumped up for this one as they are playing in front of a rare full house. Everton should win this but if they don’t then what is left of Martinez’s hair will probably disappear by 4pm.
