Everton face another system tweak amid Ben Godfrey role consideration against Newcastle United

Frank Lampard heads back to the drawing board in a bid to rescue Everton from Premier League relegation.

The Toffees find themselves in a perilous position and fears of the drop intensified after a 1-0 loss to Wolves on Sunday.

A fourth successive defeat leaves Everton languishing above the bottom three only on goal difference amid just two victories in the past 20 games.

Yet there’s little time for the Blues to remain in a malaise if they’re to haul themselves out of their predicament.

Lampard and his backroom staff have to pinpoint the areas Everton went wrong against Wolves ahead of a swift turnaround.

In-form Newcastle United visit Goodison Park on Thursday.

A win for Everton could prove the catalyst for a run of results required to survive.

What’s more, it’s a chance to pile the pressure on 16th-placed Leeds United and 18th-placed Watford.

Kenny absence

The suspension of Jonjoe Kenny means that Lampard may ponder a formation switch against Newcastle.

Kenny received two yellow cards within four minutes in the second half of the Wolves reverse.

Lampard had no qualms when the defender was given his marching orders with 12 minutes remaining.

Now the academy product, who’s rejuvenated his Goodison career since Rafa Benitez was sacked, must serve a one-match ban.

Kenny started on the right-hand side of a three-man defence against Wolves before he switched a left-back role in the second period.

There is the option for Lampard to stick with a 3-4-3 formation and restore Michael Keane to the starting line-up in place of Kenny.

However, the Everton boss may have reservations of playing a wing-back system again for two reasons.

Godfrey change

Vitaliy Mykolenko was handed his full Premier League debut against Wolves.

Amid his homeland of Ukraine being invaded by Russia, the 22-year-old is displaying admirable and incredible mental fortitude to continue as he’s doing.

Mykolenko made a bright start, with his intelligent, perfectly-weighted lofted pass setting Richarlison free in the sixth minute.

But after that, the former Dynamo Kyiv ace was unable to have a substantial influence on things.

In total, Mykolenko had just 30 touches, which was the joint-fewest of the Blues' starters, before he was withdrawn for Dele Alli in the 58th minute.

Mykolenko's understandably taken time to adapt since his arrival in January for a fee that will reach around £19 million.

Indeed, he has potential but cast-iron top-flight experience in a dogfight may be the wiser avenue to take.

Before the Wolves loss, Lampard spoke about the importance of having Ben Godfrey back fit in central defence.

However, the Toffees supremo must surely be mulling over whether to switch the England international to left-back when Newcastle visit.

Godfrey's featured on the left-hand side on seven occasions this season, while he deputised in the role admirably last campaign. He certainly has the athleticism to foray up and down the flank.

The former Norwich defender would provide added nous Mykolenko lacks and would allow Lampard to revert back to a 4-3-3 set-up.

Midfield switch

In truth, it was a surprise that Allan was dropped to the bench.

Granted, the Brazilian struggled in the 5-0 thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur.

Harry Redknapp, who's Lampard's uncle, came out and said that Allan 'can't run' while Jamie Carragher also questioned the former Napoli midfielder’s ability to get around the pitch.

But a three-man engine room at Goodison Park bore fruit in the 3-0 defeat of Leeds United - and especially in the cruel 1-0 loss to Manchester City.

Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Donny van de Beek provided the harmonious balance of silk and steel to give the league leaders an almighty scare.

Without the former screening the defence, Doucoure and van de Beek were overrun against Wolves.

There was a dearth of Doucoure's dynamism and a lack of van de Beek's brains that were both in abundance in the encouraging City performance.

Having failed to net in the past three league games, more threat in the final third is required - especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again a doubt.

Restoring Allan to his anchoring role would benefit Everton two-fold.

Doucoure was imperious at the start of the season and bagged twice. He’s had the licence to roam into more dangerous areas knowing there is protection behind.

In a two-man midfield, the Frenchman was far too pedestrian and his passing was uninspiring.

Meanwhile, Michael Carrick recently said that van de Beek’s at his zenith when he’s in and around the box.

The on-loan Manchester United midfielder didn’t have enough opportunities to wave his wand and conjure out moments he’s capable of.