Dyche on Holgate latest, retaining core of squad and Spurs

Dyche said it is “improbable” the club will make any new signings before the 23:00 GMT transfer deadline. There is a “possibility” that defender Mason Holgate could join Sheffield United in what Dyche described as a “very favourable deal” for the Toffees.

The Everton boss said it was more important to him to retain the core members of his first-team squad during the January transfer window: “The balance I’ve spoken of many times is that of course the club is looking at the financial side, but equally we’re not in a position where we have to start losing players. That’s a key thing for me as the manager with the group we’ve got, especially as stretched as it is. We’re very intent on this current group staying together.”

Idrissa Gana Gueye is back at the club following Senegal’s exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, but will be assessed before a decision is made about his potential involvement against Tottenham.

Seamus Coleman, Amadou Onana and Arnaud Danjuma are all doubtful to be involved while midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure is “on the grass” but not yet training with the first team.

On Saturday’s opponents Spurs: “They sign players – they sign quality. Ange Postecoglou has adapted them to what he wants and I’d imagine he’s still working on that and getting it to where he really wants it to be. They’re having a very strong season and you saw on Wednesday night [against Brentford] that they’ve got the mentality to go with it.”

Asked about whether he receives or seeks any updates about the club’s appeal against a 10-point deduction for breaching financial rules, Dyche said: “We just wait and see when it comes out. The last time, it came out of the blue. I didn’t get a heads up – it was literally half an hour before. So we wait and see.”