Everton Injury news: Frank Lampard rules out defender return but gives Doucoure boost

Everton host the champions Manchester City on Saturday. At least on paper, Everton and Manchester City are galaxies apart. Pep Guardiola’s side is ruthless and relentless winning mahcine that is in search of its fourth Premier League title in five years and on the other hand there is Everton who are walking on the edge and a fall would result in relegation.

The Toffees will be dreading a fixture like this given that others around them are picking up points. Burnley managed to secure three points against Tottenham on a typical rainy day at Turf Moor. Everton are just two points ahead of the Clarets and a loss against Manchester City could further spell trouble for Frank Lampard‘s side.

Hopes are not high for the Royal Blues to salvage a positive result from this tie but Lampard and his troops cannot go into the match with a lost mindset. Everton will have some relief as key members of the team are on course to return from injuries.

Since Lampard arrived at the helm, Everton have lost Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey, Demarai Gray at different instances. Abdoulaye Doucoure, Fabian Delph and Tom Davies were already on the injury list.

Everton Injury News vs Manchester City

From the training pictures, it was evident that Doucoure has returned to full training after rehabilitating for around four weeks. Demarai Gray who was substituted against Newcastle because of a hip issue has also returned to training.

Ben Godfrey was seen in individual training which looked like a return before schedule as his torn harmstring would keep him out for five weeks at least. Frank Lampard spoke to the media in the pre-match press conference and provided more updates on the injury news.

"Ben Godfrey won’t be back. He’s still a couple of weeks away. He’s progressing well but it was always a five week injury. With Doucoure & Gray, they’re both training with us and in the squad.The issue for me is if they start because Doucoure has been out for five weeks and Demarai, we have to make sure that coming into a game of this type of physical output is needed to get a performance and a potential result is a big ask. I’ll have to decide whether they’re ready to start. But it’s good to have them back. (via club’s official YouTube channel)"

The Toffees remain without Godfrey, Mina, Davies and Delph. Godfrey is still a couple of weeks away from returning meanwhile Mina conitnues to recover from a quadriceps injury that will keep him out for 8-10 weeks.

With the return of Doucoure to Everton midfield, Lampard could perhaps experiment and go with a three man midfield. His return could further free up Donny van de Beek to surge forward. On the other hand, Gray’s pace on the counter can be highly beneficial to the Everton side espeically against Manchester City who are known to dominate the possession.

Will Doucoure and Gray feature in the starting lineup against Man City?