Everton handed blow as midfield mainstay doubtful for Liverpool clash – report
Everton midfielder Fabian Delph is a doubt for the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, according to the Liverpool Echo.
There is a question mark over the Toffees mainstay after missing parts of training at Goodison Park over the past week.
Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison a week on Sunday and completed a friendly among their own squad on Saturday.
Delph has picked up a muscle strain and added to Carlo Ancelotti’s injury problems with Andre Gomes also struggling with a setback.
The Liverpool Echo has reported that the England international is hopeful of returning to training in the build-up to the clash, but it is uncertain how close he is to that.
Carlo Ancelotti will be wanting a full-fit squad to choose from against the league leaders, but with Delph, Gomes, Yerry Mina and Theo Walcott all picking up injuries, it’s completely the opposite.
Delph has played a big part in the Toffees’ squad this season. The 30-year-old has made 16 appearances, both in midfield and on the left-hand side of the defence.
Lucas Digne will obviously play at left-back against Liverpool, and the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson could all fill in midfield if needed too.
The 30-year-old’s 1.6 tackles per game according to WhoScored shows his no-nonsense approach in midfield and something that the Toffees could massively miss in the Merseyside derby.
In other Everton news, Athletic journalist: Blues held talks with Leeds over potential friendly before PL restart