Everton face mission impossible on Wednesday evening when they face Manchester City at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have struggled to gain any real momentum this season and must respond to last weekend’s 3-1 home reverse to Wolves.
Boss Marco Silva could be bolstered by the return of Idrissa Gueye for the visit of City.
Gueye was the subject of a failed January bid from Paris Saint-Germain, according to BBC Sport.
The defensive midfielder has sat out the last two fixtures but is expected to return to the fold on Wednesday night.
Silva confirmed in his pre-match press conference, for the club’s official website, that the Senegalese performer is available for selection.
The failed bid from French giants PSG could leave Gueye smarting somewhat and with a point to prove.
A club with the financial clout of the Parisians are unlikely to go away and a deal could be revisited during the summer transfer window.
If the 29-year-old is serious about earning a lucrative move to Paris then he will need to get his head down and perform for the Toffees.
A game against one of the Premier League’s big boys presents Gueye with the perfect chance to put himself in the shop window.
Everton need the points to stay within touching distance of the teams chasing Europe; whilst the Toffees’ midfield lynchpin needs to show supporters that his head hasn’t been turned.
A player with a point to prove that can rouse his team-mates and the supporters could be useful on Wednesday night.
If the Toffees are going to get anything from the game then they will need players such as Gueye to be on top form.