Everton plan to rest players in their Europa League ‘dead rubber’ with Apollon Limassol.
Nothing is riding on the Blues’ trip to Cyprus for their final Group E encounter on Thursday after other results ruled them out of contention as far back as October.
That final continental outing of the season comes barely 72 hours before Everton prepare to take on Liverpool in a Merseyside derby showdown at Anfield.
And Sam Allardyce has forewarned supporters making the trip overseas that he will not risk key players, in anticipation of the clash with Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Wayne Rooney is expected to be among those left behind on Merseyside, with Everton’s players flying back from Limassol in the early hours of Friday morning.
“It is a dead rubber,” said Allardyce.
“I would suggest to the fans that if you are going to spend some money to go and watch them be mindful that I am going to send a team that is not going to be risking too many players who are going to be involved for Liverpool.
“It would be foolish of me to consider getting a player injured in that game and not have him available.
“I have too many injuries already.”