Everton: Rafa Benitez indicates if Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson will feature against Hull City

Everton made early moves in the January transfer window signing Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson to bolster the full back area. The duo has joined Everton and has been part of the squad training ahead of the FA Cup Third round tie against Hull City.

For years, Seamus Coleman was tasked with being club’s only right back with Jonjoe Kenny considered a fringe option. The Royal Blues have attempted to sign a long term successor to Coleman but have failed to bring a competent right back. Names like Max Aarons and Ainsely Maitland-Niles were mentioned but finally, the Toffees have managed to acquire the services of Patterson.

Patterson may not be the immediate solution as the Scotsman still needs time to adjust to the surroundings of the Premier League. The transition from Coleman to Patterson should begin soon.

On the other hand, Mykolenko arrived from Dynamo Kyiv for a fee rumoured to be £17 million, signing a four and a half year deal. Everton will make the payment in parts and not pay the entire fees upfront. The arrival of Mykolenko hints at the end of Lucas Digne’s time at Everton. Benitez was quizzed on the inclusion of the new full back duo against Hull.

Will new Everton signings Vitaliy Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson play against Hull City?

"Obviously we know both players well and we know about the potential. The first training session was for them to settle down, yesterday was much better. More communication with their teammates. Are they ready? We will see.Today we have another training session. If you have to play them, they can play. Maybe they can start, maybe one of them, maybe both. They’ve been 15 days without training so we have to consider if they’re fit enough. (via club’s official YouTube channel)"

Rafa Benitez on Lucas Digne wanting to leave:

"I have had a couple of conversations with him, he told me what he thought. What do you expect a manager to do when a player tells a manager he doesn’t want to be here. I think he was very clear. I want to ask a question to any fan or former player, what Peter Reid will say if a player doesn’t want to be here? He told me what he thought, so what do you expect the manager to do? (via club’s official YouTube channel)"

The Spaniard has loosely indicated that the new full back duo may have some part to play in the FA Cup tie. The supporters are keen to see what the new signings can offer and what are they all about.

Will Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko feature against Hull?