Dewsnip hopes the lay-off has given his players time to recharge their batteries and come out determined to turn positive performances into results – something which was a problem in the FA Premier Academy League in the first part of the campaign.

Dewsnip said: “We have been back just over a week and have been working well. They are a dedicated bunch and have been doing their best. It is a concern that we haven’t had a game in almost a month, but the positive thing is that we will be fresh. And also nobody else has been playing because of the weather as well. It is a level playing field and we will get on with it. But one bonus is that everybody is fit, all the niggles have cleared up and they are raring to go.”

He added: “It is going to be a very difficult tie. We are aware Burnley are top of their league and haven’t been beaten. They have our utmost respect. We have some good friends there with Martin Dobson, who is the head of their youth set-up. As well as being an ex-Everton player, he is a good friend of mine. He will be excited about the tie as well I’m sure.”

Accrington’s Coca-Cola League Two match with Darlington was called off due to a frozen pitch. Although temperatures have picked up since, the expected freeze last night could also put tonight’s clash also in jeopardy, with a pitch inspection likely.

If the game goes ahead and Everton win tonight, they will welcome Norwich City ­– who beat Stoke in a penalty shoot-out to book their place – to Goodison Park in the fifth round. Everton lost to Norwich in the final of the Youth Cup back in 1983.

EVERTON YOUTH (from): Roberts, McArdle, Barnett, Duffy, Bidwell; McCready, Akpan, Wallace, Craig, Codling, McAleny, Nsiala, Kinsella, Sheppard, Powell, Krenn, Barkley, Stewart.