Everton could have free agents offering themselves up as possible out-of-window signings in the coming days and weeks, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The Lowdown: Big few months ahead

The Sean Dyche era gets underway at Goodison Park this weekend, as the Blues host current Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime.

Everton's new manager has a huge task ahead of him in the coming months, with his side sitting 19th in the table and in genuine danger of a first-ever trip to the Championship.

The Blues' squad looks lacking in quality and depth following an abysmally quiet January transfer window in which there only major business was to sell a key player in Anthony Gordon, but there is a chance that new faces could still arrive soon.

The Latest: Free agents coming in?

That's certainly the opinion of O'Rourke, who told Give Me Sport that Everton could have free agent players 'marking their services available' to the Blues:

"I’m sure any free agent who is looking to find a club will probably be making their services available to Everton, to say that they’re willing to join the club to try and help them in the relegation fight as well.

"We’ve seen it before, some free agents who become available and they can then be a key signing for a club."

The Verdict: Makes perfect sense

While Dyche will feel that he can improve the squad that has been handed to him, there is no doubt he needs some reinforcements to have a better chance of staying up.

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Everton have scored just 15 goals in 20 league outings this season, so a new attacker wouldn't go amiss, though they've missed out on the signing of Andre Ayew to Nottingham Forest. Added creativity in midfield would also help tackle that issue, with Isco, Alejandro Pozuelo and Zakaria Labyad three of the most valuable freebies left on the market.

Labyad for example, who left Ajax in the summer, is still only 29 and has racked up 56 assists in 285 career games, winning three Eredivisie titles along the way, so would bring that bit of winning guile and experience.

Free agents aren't necessarily ideal signings - they are without a club for a reason, at the end of the day - but needs must for the Blues and one or two additions could make all the difference.