England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has been rested by Everton for their trip to Newcastle United, Carlo Ancelotti said.
Pickford was a surprise omission from the Everton line-up on Sunday, taking his place instead among the substitutes with new signing Robin Olsen brought in for a Premier League debut.
Pickford s form has come under increasing scrutiny this season after a series of errors and a rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk that caused a long-term injury to the Liverpool defender.
The former Sunderland keeper had started 120 consecutive league games since joining Everton in 2017, but Ancelotti insisted there was no technical reason for the decision.
The Everton manager assured Pickford would return for their next match.
There is no technical reason, Ancelotti told Sky Sports. I just want to give him a rest for this game, just to give the opportunity to Olsen to have minutes.
Jordan will be back for the next game against [Manchester] United.
TEAM NEWS!
debuts for and Olsen
Kenny returns from injury
on the bench
— Everton (@Everton)
Pickford has committed 25 errors leading to goals since joining Everton, one of those coming at St James Park in the 2018-19 season as the Sunderland supporter also conceded a penalty against the Black Cats rivals Newcastle in a rash display.
Since the start of last season, only Pickford and injured Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have had as many as five errors leading to goals.
Everton are also missing Seamus Coleman and James Rodriguez to injury on Tyneside, with Lucas Digne and Richarlison suspended.
Digne was sent off last week against Southampton as Ancelotti complained the fury following Pickford s challenge on Van Dijk contributed to the decision.
Richarlison was dismissed in the Merseyside derby after Pickford had escaped censure.
