Sean Dyche reveals Everton plans for the winter break amid Ashley Young injury update

Sean Dyche confirmed Everton's players have been given a few days off training.

The Toffees have no fixture this weekend as it's their turn to enjoy a Premier League winter break. But having earned a 1-0 FA Cup third-round replay victory over Crystal Palace, and face Luton Town in the competition in a week's time, the Toffees' absence will be shorter than some of their rivals.

Everton have had a rollercoaster campaign. They were hit with a 10-point deduction in the Premier League after being guilty of breaching financial rules and have faced a second charge. As a result, it's plunged the Blues into another relegation battle instead of sitting 12th in the table.

The Blues' hiatus from the 2023-24 season is shorter than some of their rivals because of their replay against Palace. However, that is something that Dyche accepts as it is part of a competition he has a 'lot of respect' for.

The Everton manager said: "It's part of the competition. Until someone changes it - who is miles more powerful in football than me - then it'll be the same. It's one of them things. I have a lot of respect for the FA Cup so do what they need to do. The schedule is busy over Christmas and replays are not perfect but you've got to find a result in the end. They're all right when you win them, not so good when you don't.

"The lads will get a few down days now. The balance and recuperation amongst the work, a lot of these players we've asked a lot of them through December - no fault of ours of course - to play at high maximum levels to try to win games and they've done very well. They'll get a few down days now, as will the staff, and we will start going again."

Dyche also said that Ashley Young is 'coming back' to fitness, with the 38-year-old missing the previous eight matches with a hamstring issue.