Frank Lampard gives injury update on Everton pair Yerry Mina and Vitalii Mykolenko
Frank Lampard is “hopeful” after two Everton defenders were withdrawn from the vital 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester with injury.
Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina lasted less than 20 minutes and was withdrawn after a chaotic opening to the game with a calf issue, in the latest fitness concern for the 27-year-old.
Ukrainian full-back Vitalii Mykolenko volleyed home a wonder goal for the opener but also had to depart during the second-half rear guard action.
But it appears neither are going to be major blows to the club’s chances of staying up over the last few games.
The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland shared an update from the Toffees boss after the game, writing on his personal Twitter page: “Asked Lampard about Mykolenko and Mina. Looks like cramp for Mykolenko. Hopeful Mina’s calf problem isn’t too bad – will have a scan to see though”.
Adversity
A highly eventful weekend has seen the club climb out of the relegation zone with another massive result.
Coupled with defeats for both rivals, Burnley and Leeds, the Toffees have grabbed the situation by the scruff of the neck and gone above both.
Perhaps most impressive of all for this team was that the result was recorded on the road, after a miserable season of away form.
Injuries have been a constant thorn in Lampard’s side since he arrived on Merseyside, so he will have been cursing his luck to see two more issues come up.
That is especially the case for Mina who showed in the Chelsea victory just how much he adds to the side, but his availability continues to be a constant worry.
In his absence, the much-maligned Michael Keane filled in and produced his strongest game in some time to help hold out for the win.
It wouldn’t have been possible however without further wonders in goal from Jordan Pickford who produced at least three second-half saves to preserve the lead when it looked like it had been lost.
Mykolenko’s goal was a beauty, and if he has escaped a problem that will keep him out should take huge confidence from it.
If the early prognosis on the withdrawn pair is accurate then it will be a big bullet dodged in the fight for survival, with those hopes suddenly boosted to a great degree.
In other Everton news, one pundit was stunned by what he saw an “unbelievable” Toffee do at the King Power.
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