The Toffees have already secured top spot in Group H ahead of the visit from the Russian side, and Roberto Martinez is set to hand starts to some of his fringe players
Christian Atsu has vowed to impress if given a chance to feature in Everton’s final Europa League group game against Krasnodar.
Roberto Martinez’s side secured top spot in Group H on matchday five with a convincing 2-0 triumph in Germany against Bundesliga high-flyers Wolfsburg.
Everton are unbeaten in the Europa League so far this season, having comfortably dispatched both Lille and Wolfsburg in their previous two home games and drawing their other away matches.
But Martinez’s men had to wait until late in the day to salvage a point from their trip to Krasnodar, who sit bottom of the group and are already out, back in October, with Samuel Eto’o snatching an 82nd-minute leveller after Ari had put the hosts ahead.It seems likely that Martinez, who has already confirmed that Arouna Kone will start against the Russian outfit after a long-term injury absence, will rest the majority of his first-team squad on Thursday.
And Atsu, who has been limited to a peripheral role at Everton since his close-season loan switch from Chelsea, is amongst a number of fringe players that could join the Ivorian forward in the starting XI.
“It’s been quite difficult since I came here but I believe things will be okay and go well,” the Ghana winger told the club’s official website.
“I’m working hard for the team and I believe the fans haven’t seen the best of me yet and I know everything depends on the player.
“I don’t know if I will start [on Thursday] but, if I do, I will give my best to the team and fans. I will make sure I will be at my best to help the team win.”
