Dynamo Kiev v Everton: Osman ready for tricky second leg

Everton midfielder Leon Osman feels they will be well prepared for the challenge of Thursday’s UEFA Europa League last-16 second-leg trip to Dynamo Kiev.

Roberto Martinez’s men came from behind in the first leg to claim a 2-1 win over their Ukrainian opponents last week.

A comfortable 3-0 victory against Newcastle United on Sunday eased fears over possible relegation from the Premier League, allowing the Merseyside club to travel east in confident mood.

“The manager has a big squad, a good squad. We had five changes for Newcastle but we were still really strong,” Osman told Everton’s official website.

“There’ll be changes again on Thursday I’m sure and there’s a load of competition for places, but we’re in this as a team. 

“There’s no sulking if you’re not in the team – it’s all about the 11 that are out there getting a result.

“We’re certainly going there with confidence, even though these ties are difficult in places like Ukraine.
 
“They’ll be making it as difficult as they can for us, but we’re looking forward to it.
 
“We’ll be going there with a goal advantage. It’ll be difficult but we’re confident.”

Tony Hibbert and Aiden McGeady (both knee) remain doubts for the visitors, while Steven Pienaar is still struggling with a similar issue.

Bryan Oviedo has a hamstring injury and Kevin Mirallas may also be on the sidelines after missing the Newcastle game with a knock.

Dynamo, meanwhile, will be the minus the services of attacking midfielder Younes Belhanda due to suspension.

Defender Yevhen Makarenko is also out for the hosts, with Jeremain Lens, goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy and Serhiy Sydorchuk all doubts for Serhiy Rebrov’s men.

But the Ukrainian Premier League leaders hammered Illichivets 5-0 at the weekend and Andriy Yarmolenko – scorer of a brace in that game – is hopeful over Dynamo’s chances of turning the tie around.

“Everton – a good team, they showed in the first game, but at the same time they do not have anything special, just a good quality team,” Yarmolenko told Dynamo’s official website.

“In the first match we lost 1-2, but it is not a critical or bad result. We distinguished a goal on the road, and it will be enough in Kiev to score one goal, and everything will change.

“It depends solely on us. If we show a good game, I’m sure we will go on. I am sure we will all succeed.”