Serge Aurier and three other free agent full-backs who are available for Everton to sign before January window

Everton have a problem on their hands in both full-back positions.

Fears that many Toffees supporters held following the conclusion of the summer transfer window became a reality in Tuesday night's Carabao Cup loss to QPR.

Lucas Digne limped off injured at Loftus Road and we await news on whether he'll be fit to face Norwich on Saturday.

Everton have no other recognised senior left-back on their books after Niels Nkounkou was loaned to Standard Liege on transfer deadline day. Meanwhile, Thierry Small - the youngest player in the club’s history - quit Goodison Park for Southampton earlier in the summer.

The Blues are also struggling on the right-hand side of defence. Seamus Coleman is sidelined with a hamstring problem and there are concerns about whether Jonjoe Kenny is up to the standard required.

As things stand, Everton have one berth in their 25-man Premier League squad remaining so Rafa Benitez could utilise the free-agent market if he wanted to recruit another full-back before the January transfer window opens.

Here is a look at those who are available.

Serge Aurier

The former Tottenham defender has been linked with a move to Goodison Park after James Rodriguez's exit which frees up funds.

Aurier had his Spurs contract cancelled by mutual consent on transfer deadline day.

After arriving from PSG for around £23 million in 2017, the Ivory Coast international made 110 appearances for the north London outfit, scoring eight goals. He helped them reach the Champions League final in the 2018-19 campaign.

Aurier is in the prime years of his career at the age of 28 and would give Everton more scope to play a wing-back formation more frequently.

Dani Alves

What a career the Brazilian has had. Alves won six La Ligas and three Champions League titles with Barcelona, the Serie A crown at Juventus and two Ligue 1 gongs with PSG.

He's undoubtedly one of the best right-backs to play the game since the turn of the century.

At the ripe age of 38, he’s still performing to a high standard, having helped his country claim gold at the Olympics in Tokyo along with Everton striker Richarlison last month.

Alves left Sao Paulo earlier this month following a dispute over pay and now finds himself without a club.

He has never played in the Premier League so that could be tempting, but it's likely that Everton would struggle to meet his wage demands given they're carefully negotiating financial fair play rules.

Alves has also been heavily linked to join Fluminense in his native Brazil.

Loris Benito

The Switzerland international hasn't had a bad career at all.

As a youngster, he won the Portuguese league with Benfica before he moved on for regular minutes elsewhere.

Benito claimed two Swiss top-flight crowns with Young Boys and also played for them in the Champions League.

Benito spent the past two seasons at Bordeaux where he was a key player but had his contract mutually terminated in August.

He's a left-back who is also capable of playing in central defence and played for Switzerland at Euro 2020.

Aged 29, he could offer decent cover for Digne.

Ahmed Elmohamady

The Egypt international is a Premier League veteran.

Elmohamdy has played more than 200 games in the top flight for Everton, Hull and Aston Villa during his career.

He was released by Villa when his contract expired at the end of last season.

Elmohamady is coming into his twilight years at the age of 34. But he could offer emergency cover if needed.