Newcastle United could hand debuts to Andros Townsend and Seydou Doumbia as they aim to end a dismal run against Everton.

Steve McClaren has been one of the Barclays Premier League’s most active head coaches during the transfer window, with Henri Saivet and Jonjo Shelvey making promising debuts in January.
Townsend sealed a move from Tottenham Hotspur last week and Doumbia arrived on loan from Roma on deadline day.

With his side having won just one of their last eight league meetings with Everton, McClaren will be desperate to see the new signings hit the ground running on Wednesday, although he will need Doumbia’s international clearance in time for the match.

“I’m very happy; the acquisitions have been very good,” was McClaren’s assessment after Townsend’s arrival. “We have got very good players to add to our already-good squad.”

Everton were busy themselves on transfer deadline day, completing the signing of Locomotiv Moscow forward Oumar Niasse following January swoops for Matty Foulds of Bury and Shani Tarashaj from Grasshoppers Club Zurich. The £13.5m striker will not, however, be eligible in time for tonight’s match, as he is awaiting visa clearance.

Roberto Martinez’s side are without a win in their last five top-flight matches but dispatched Carlisle United 3-0 in the FA Cup on Sunday to give themselves a much-needed lift after their League Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Manchester City.

Ross Barkley followed a fine finish against City with a thumping strike to round off that Carlisle victory and, as the England international prepares to make his 100th BPL appearance, Martinez believes he is beginning to be appreciated fully for his talent.

“It was good to see the Carlisle fans recognise Ross,” Martinez said after the 22-year-old, who has scored three times in five league games against Newcastle, was applauded from the pitch at Brunton Park. “I think people are starting to appreciate what an incredible English talent we are developing.

“Ross is a stylish footballer. Any football fan would love to watch his skill and pay the price of their ticket to watch a footballer like him.”

Everton hope to have Muhamed Besic fully fit after he missed the matches with City and Carlisle with a hamstring issue, while Kevin Mirallas could also make a return from a knee problem.