Everton better off without Van de Beek vs Burnley with £16.2m ace tipped to fill void

Everton will have a better ‘balance’ in midfield with Mason Holgate starting instead of Donny van de Beek against Burnley, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Holgate was shifted into the engine room at the last minute against West Ham United over the weekend after Van de Beek picked up an injury in the warm-up and bagged his first Premier League goal of the season.

The Toffees travel to Turf Moor this evening in what is set to be a crucial clash for both teams in their fight to avoid the drop.

Only four points separate 19th-placed Burnley and 17th-placed Everton as they both bid to maintain their top-flight status come May, yet several fitness and suspension setbacks are hindering Frank Lampard’s charges.

First-choice holding midfielder Allan and Michael Keane are unavailable after receiving red cards, while Andros Townsend, Yerry Mina, Tom Davies and Nathan Patterson remain on the treatment table.

Lampard also confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Van de Beek will play no part, although Fabian Delph could make his comeback.

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“Fabian Delph is back in the squad, which is good news for us. He’s been working hard to get back in there,” the 43-year-old tactician revealed.

“It’s a position where, obviously, we haven’t got a lot of players in the squad – that natural defensive midfield position. But Donny won’t be fit. It’s a small grade thigh injury, which will make him fit [for the match against Leicester City].”

With natural defensive-minded options Delph, Allan and Davies unavailable to feature either from the off or at all, O’Rourke ‘would prefer’ Holgate, who is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, to start in the engine room