Phil Jagielka says it is up to him and Everton’s other senior players to “lead through our performances” when the Blues return to Premier League action at Brighton next weekend.
A hamstring injury has forced captain Jagielka onto the sidelines since the Toffees' defeat at Manchester United on September 17.
He watched Everton seal their Carabao Cup progress with victory over Sunderland and draw their Europa League encounter with Cypriot outfit Apollon Limassol.
In the Premier League matches that sandwiched the European tie, Everton beat Bournemouth 2-1 and went down to a 1-0 defeat by Burnley.