Sean Dyche has sounded a warning to Albion as they prepare to take on revitalised Everton.

The Toffees boss wants a bit of the grit and steel which made the club such a force in the 1980s, when title successes were built around characters such as Peter Reid, Paul Bracewell and Kevin Ratcliffe.

And he has told the Seagulls they face quite a test as they look for their third successive win on the blue side of Stanley Park.

Goodison Park was a depressed place when Albion won 4-1 there ten months ago during Frank Lampard's tenure. 

Dyche, whose side won 5-1 at the Amex in the return fixture, told a press conference: “They are still a good team but they are coming to Goodison.

“There’s a good feeling around the team, so we have to use that to our advantage.”

Everton have won five of their last seven games in all competitions after beating Burnley in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Their last two home games have been 3-0 wins.

Dyche said: “The best teams who played here had a grittiness, a determination and edge to their performances, as well as being able to play and being good footballers.

“We are searching for that and trying to find that combination as there are some talented players here.

“The mentality to being a modern tough team – you can’t go round putting in big tackles – means you have to be clever with your toughness.

“Of course, winning helps with that, but I think the players have been consistent with that and are finding that tougher team ethic.

“Harder to beat at one end of the pitch and hopefully causing more trouble for the opposition at the top end of the pitch.”

After back-to-back seasons ended with narrow escapes from relegation, this is the first time during that spell where the team and fans can start looking up rather than over their shoulders, with tenth-placed Brentford only three points away.

But Dyche is not getting carried away and takes a longer-term view.

He said: “I’m not obsessed with the table at this stage.

“It’s a season’s work for me. The ups and downs, you have to manage them as a team.

“I’m really looking at the plan for the season, but so far I’m thinking there is progress and that was the first target after the last couple of seasons.

“Can we look like a stronger, more effective unit? There are strong signs of that with the way we are playing.”

Dyche made just two changes to his XI for the midweek cup tie.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was among players taken off during the second half.

It was the striker’s sixth successive start having made a goalscoring return as a sub in the win at Brentford.

Dyche rates Everton’s counter-raiding 5-1 victory at the Amex last season as their best tactical performance under his command.

He said: “You have to be tactically right but you have to impress yourself on the game.

“We know they are a strong side who often want to break through the middle of the pitch.

“Teams who have done well against them have delivered good tactical performances.”

Toffees captain Seamus Coleman will still be missing on Saturday along with Andre Gomes and Dele Alli.