As the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park approaches, Everton have been handed a potential boost on the injury front with one player now back in training ahead of the game.
Everton injury news
There’s no denying the impact that David Moyes has made at the beginning of his second stint in charge of Everton. The Toffees have even been free-scoring at times and remain on course for Premier League survival. Liverpool will be their biggest test yet, however. The Reds have lost just one league game all season and are yet to suffer defeat on the road in the top flight.
That said, their shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup last time out should certainly hand Everton plenty of hope in pursuit of their second derby victory in a row at Goodison Park.
Everton, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from defeat of their own, meanwhile. The Toffees also suffered FA Cup defeat last time out, losing 2-0 at home to Bournemouth.
With both Merseyside rivals seeking victory, Moyes will be relieved by his side’s recent injury boost. As revealed by the manager, Vitaliy Mykolenko has now returned to Everton training and could yet feature against Liverpool.
Related
Everton now working on £21m deal to sign “special” star before Liverpool
His club may have no choice but to sell…
When asked about potential injury returns, Moyes told reporters: “He’s started some training today (Tuesday) so hopefully he could be available. That’s probably going to be the only one.”
After missing defeat against Bournemouth last time out, the left-back could be in line for an instant return to hand Everton the boost they had been hoping for.
Whether the Ukraine defender will become a difference-maker on such a big occasion remains to be seen, but the Toffees’ performance against the Cherries certainly highlighted his role.
“Solid” Mykolenko is growing in importance
There was a stage in Mykolenko’s Everton career when his importance could have been questioned, but those days are beginning to come to an end. In fact, it could be argued that the 25-year-old is growing in influence and is gradually making that left-back spot his own ahead of the experienced Ashley Young.
It’s a slow rise which has been coming at Goodison Park, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig full of praise for Mykolenko almost three years ago when he dubbed the defender’s performance against Manchester United as “solid”.
Almost three years on and whilst it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, the £58,000-a-week defender is becoming an important member of Moyes’ backline and one who could make an impact against Liverpool.
As Goodison awaits its final-ever Merseyside derby, the potential return of Mykolenko could just be the start of a week to savour in the Premier League.