Hmmm.
Depends what system we're playing.
Based on how we lined up v Blackpool, it definitely wasn't 4-4-2.
Gomes, at his best, gets into the XI. We still need that deep-lying playmaker type and he can be that, the key was getting players around him. That's even more crucial now as he continues to recover from the injury, which yes will still take a bit of time.
I think we'll probably play a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid type thing.
Allan and Doucoure flanking Gomes, with those guys basically tasked with doing the dirty work, but with the added bonus of Doucoure being able to get forward and add real threat to the attack.
James might play predominantly from the right, but with a freedom to go wherever he wants, with Richarlison on the other side.
That can be adapted to 4-4-2 easily enough too, and if so we'd still have players of quality on the bench.