With Tony Hibbert ruled out for up to two months with a bad groin tear, Everton are likely to switch versatile England international Phil Neville to right-back for the visit of Sheffield United to Goodison Park.
Defender Alan Stubbs, back in training this week after a groin injury, is unlikely to make the starting line-up but could be on the bench.
Boss David Moyes has James McFadden and James Beattie fighting for first-team starts while midfielder Simon Davies' return to the side last week gives his manager another option.
Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone are both long-term injury victims.
Provisional squad: Howard, Neville, Lescott, Yobo, Valente, Davies, Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Osman, Johnson, Beattie, McFadden, Anichebe, Van der Meyde, Wright, Stubbs.
Sheffield United centre-back Claude Davis faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Everton.
The club's £3million record signing missed six weeks of the season with a knee injury and came off after last week's goalless draw at Manchester City complaining of soreness so has been taking it easy in training.
Rob Hulse, Michael Tonge and Chris Armstrong all complained of aches and pains this week but none are considered serious and boss Neil Warnock will hope to name an unchanged side.
Provisional squad: Kenny, Bennett, Bromby, Unsworth, Davis, Morgan, Short, Sommeil, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Kozluk, Jagielka, Ifill, Gillespie, A Quinn, Hulse, Akinbiyi, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Kabba, Webber, Montgomery.
