Triple fitness boost for Everton ahead of Liverpool clash

Everton have been given a huge boost as they prepare for this weekend’s Merseyside derby with the news that Seamus Coleman, Andre Gomes and Allan should be fit and ready to start.

Gomes was always expected to be fit after sitting out the win over Brighton with a minor knock, but Allan was considered a doubt after suffering a groin injury in the Carabao Cup win against West Ham. Four days later Coleman limped off with a hamstring injury during the win over Brighton and was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad.

However, both players have since returned to training at Finch Farm and will be considered for selection as long as they show no ill-effects.

Speaking about the trio, Carlo Ancelotti said:

“Andre Gomes is available for Saturday, no problem.

“Allan started to train with the team this week. If nothing happens in the next few days he will be available to play against Liverpool.

“I think Seamus is going to be good, too, because he started to train with us on Monday.”

There was further good news when both Richarlison and James Rodriguez came through their international matches unscathed and are now on their way back to Merseyside.

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Everton aren’t completely out of the woods on the injury front, though, with Yerry Mina sitting out Colombia’s clash with Chile as a precaution after feeling discomfort in his thigh during training.

Mina will be assessed when he returns to Finch Farm, with Ben Godfrey in contention for a derby debut if he is ruled out.

Godfrey has yet to train with his new team-mates following his deadline day move from Norwich as he has been on international duty with England U21s.

However, Ancelotti says the 22-year-old will be considered for selection at the weekend despite being a new arrival.

“Godfrey is a a really talented player.

“He is really fast, very quick. He has different characteristics from the centre-backs we have in this moment.

“He is a complete defender, fast, good with his head and good with the ball. He has all the quality to be a really good centre-back.

“He has experience in the Premier League. He was really happy to come here.

“I think he will be a good signing, not only for the present because I think he is ready to play in the Premier League, but also for the future of the Club.

“If he is fit, he is going to be in competition with the others [for the game against Liverpool].”

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There was also some positive news for Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who could be back in action by the end of next month.

The midfielder has had rotten luck with injuries since his move to Goodison, playing just 135 minutes before tearing a thigh muscle during training that kept him out for nine months. He then injured his Achilles on his first day back at full training in June.

The 25-year-old has yet to return to Finch Farm, but is hoping to complete some individual sessions before the end of October.

Ancelotti added:

“Gbamin is working individually, he is not here [at Finch Farm] yet.

“I think he is going to be here in 15 days and start to work apart from the team in the beginning, and then with the team.

“At the end of the November, I think he can be fit to play.”

Elsewhere, Jarrad Branthwaite (ankle) and Mason Holgate (foot) are still likely to be out for the next few weeks. Cenk Tosun is training on his own at Finch Farm as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Jonjoe Kenny is not expected to be fit for at least another three weeks after twisting his ankle during the West Ham win.