Preview: Everton vs. Queens Park Rangers

Everton manager Roberto Martinez will be hopeful that his players have benefited from a nine-day break when they host Queens Park Rangers on Monday night.

Martinez was able to rest over a dozen first-team players for the club's final Europa League fixture with FC Krasnodar on Thursday, and it was a period of recuperation that was welcomed after five games in the space of two weeks.

Leon Osman could replace the suspended Gareth Barry in midfield, while John Stones and Steven Naismith could be fit enough to take a place on the bench.

Three points for Everton could be enough for them to return to the top half of the table after back-to-back defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

QPR make the trip to Merseyside without the services of top goalscorer Charlie Austin, who was sent off for two yellow cards against Burnley last weekend.

The striker's absence is a big blow to Harry Redknapp's side, with the former Burnley forward scoring exactly half of QPR's goals in the top flight.

Winger Junior Hoilett could be included in Austin's place but the remainder of the team is expected to remain the same for the game at Goodison Park.

The London outfit have lost all seven of their fixtures on the road this campaign.

Everton:

Form in Premier League: DDWLDL Form in all competitions: WWLDLL

Possible starting lineup: Howard; Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Hibbert; Coleman, Osman, Besic, Mirallas; Eto'o, Lukaku

Queens Park Rangers:

Recent form: LDLWLW

Possible starting lineup: Green; Isla, Caulker, Dunne, Suk-Young; Vargas, Barton, Henry, Fer, Hoilett; Zamora

Sports Mole says: 2-0