Sean Dyche has received a welcome boost for his January preparations with Abdoulaye Doucoure set to remain on Merseyside.

Last month, the ECHO reported it was unlikely the midfielder would link up with the Mali squad in Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations. He has now publicly confirmed his stance in comments made after Everton’s draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend.

Dyche had faced the prospect of losing half his central midfield to the tournament, with Idrissa Gueye in contention for a call up with Senegal. That could have forced a tactical overhaul for a crucial period for the Blues.

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Sean Dyche of Everton before the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Everton and Burnley at Goodison Park. Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images

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The extent of the problem Dyche would have faced had Doucoure been planning on joining up with Mali was made clear at the weekend. Amadou Onana’s absence through a calf issue left Dyche with just three senior centre midfielders available. With the Blues boss preferring to work with a three man central midfield there was no replacement for that position on the bench. Without early reinforcements in the January transfer window, Dyche would have been forced to tinker with his tactics had he lost Doucoure and Gueye for the competition, which runs into February across dates that include Premier League ties with Aston Villa, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester Cit

Asked whether he anticipated being involved, Doucoure said: “No, at the moment, I don’t think I’m going to make the Africa Nations Cup, to be honest. I think I’m going to stay here in an Everton shirt. I don’t want to go. It’s not a big, big decision because I went only one time for the Mali national team. I want to focus really on my career and on the club. I have all the respect for my country, but I am going to stay here.”

The news will be welcomed by Dyche, who had not pushed Doucoure for a decision and had been content for the player to update him when appropriate. He still faces the prospect of being light on options in the expected absence of Gueye, but will have Onana and James Garner available along with Doucoure. A return to fitness of Andre Gomes and Dele, both of whom have been absent through long term injuries, could provide further options.

Doucoure’s importance to the Everton team has been clear under Dyche, the 30-year-old scoring eight goals since his arrival – including the stunning, survival-clinching winner over Bournemouth on the final day of last season. He has continued that form into the current campaign and was rewarded with a new contract, extending his stay with Everton to 2025, which was signed last week.