Sean Dyche backs Abdoulaye Doucoure to make Everton impact on return

When the former Burnley boss arrived just over a year ago the 31-year-old had been exiled by predecessor Frank Lampard after a fall-out but the Mali international was brought straight back into the fold and has more than justified that decision.

Doucoure is Everton's leading scorer with six league goals this season - three more than anyone else - despite a number of injury issues, the latest a hamstring problem which restricted him to one appearance in the last 10 games.

However, after returning to training this week the midfielder is in contention for an immediate recall in a crucial game at home to Crystal Palace on Monday as his influence over the side is huge.

Asked about the reasons for his decision to use Doucoure as a roaming midfielder behind centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dyche said: "Just his history.

"I knew him for a while from the early days of his career and I felt he had legs and energy, knows the game tactically and does it very well and can score a goal. Just looking at the logical side of it really.

"But you do go on instinct; he's a player I've always liked and I put him straight in the side and he's delivered. We want him to come back in the side and do well again."

In Doucoure's last nine Premier League starts Everton won seven and drew two in what was their best run of the season in November and December.

By contrast they have drawn two and lost four of the last six league matches he has missed.

Scoring goals continues to be the biggest issue for Dyche with just 26 in 24 matches, exacerbated by Calvert-Lewin's current lean spell of 18 games.

But the Toffees boss refuses to put any more pressure on his misfiring striker ahead of a must-win game for his side, with Palace just four points ahead of his 18th-placed team.

"It's not about one player, it's about all the team. Something will work for him," he added.

"I think some of the performances have been very good, clean sheets among them and some points.

"There were a lot of challenges for the group but I think there are a lot of positive signs about what we are trying to do.

"We just need to score more goals and we all know that.

"The margins are important and we have to get on the right side of that, that's the only thing which has been missing when we haven't won. We've created chances and not scored goals.

"The idea of xG (expected goals) is all well and good but we can't wait for it to happen. You have to make it happen and that's the next step. I think we're very close to that."

READ MORE: Rodri: Man City must 'move on' quickly from Chelsea draw