David Unsworth leaves four key Everton players at home for Europa League trip

David Unsworth’s third audition for the Everton manager’s job on a permanent basis will be done without four key first-team players, including Wayne Rooney, who have been left at home for the must-win Europa League match with Lyon on Thursday.

The Independent revealed last week that former Everton defender had the backing of the players to take the job until the end of the season ahead of talks with chairman Bill Kenwright but the performance in the 2-0 loss to Leicester City on Sunday has discouraged the board on his suitability somewhat.

Since then, the interest in Sean Dyche has intensified, with Sam Allardyce also admitting he would “consider” the job if it was offered to him, and Unsworth admitted that there had not been any further discussions regarding his future.

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“Nothing more has been said,” he insisted during his press conference on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s game in Lyon. “Hopefully we’ll sit down after Sunday, we all want the best for Everton.

“We just carry on, day by day, game by game. I’m not put off by anything about this job. This is a fabulous job for any manager. It’s an amazing job.”

Unsworth will have Thursday’s Europa League game and Sunday’s Bonfire Night game with Watford to press home his candidacy with a decision likely to be taken during the international break.

Everton are currently bottom of Group E with only one point – taken against Cypriot minnows Apollon Limassol – meaning another defeat to Lyon, and Atalanta at least drawing, would leave the Toffees unable to qualify for the Round of 32.

Despite this though, Unsworth has opted to leave Rooney, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka at home, while Michael Keane is still out with a leg infection. Instead academy defender Morgan Feeney has travelled to France.

“They’ve played a lot of games and I wanted to freshen it up and make a couple of changes,” Unsworth said of the omissions. “[Feeney]’s here on merit. He may be involved but it would be from the bench.”

Unsworth is also here on merit after fine work helping Everton’s younger stars through to the first team and he now has the opportunity to prove he can freshen up the squad. However, the Lyon result will no doubt have a large impact on the final decision made regarding his future.