Everton have released their latest batch of training photographs from Finch Farm and there looks to be varying news on a series of injury fronts.
Frank Lampard has been dealt some cruel blows already this season in terms of several first-team players not being available.
But with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin now having returned to make his first appearance this term as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, the cavalry appears to be slowly emerging on the horizon in terms of the rest of the Blues’ walking wounded.
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Here’s a look at four things we learned from Everton’s training pictures as the team prepare for the first of two away matches in the space of five days. Lampard’s side go to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday before travelling to Newcastle United next Wednesday.
New Mina setback
Pictures showed Yerry Mina – out since going off with an ankle injury in the opening game of the season against Chelsea – taking part in sprints and on the ball in a game with team-mates. But Lampard confirmed that in between them being taken on Wednesday and his press conference at 12:30pm on Thursday, the Colombian had suffered a new setback and was out of Saturday’s game at Tottenham.
The Blues boss subsequently confirmed the 28-year-old – who has featured in less than half of the club’s Premier League matches since signing in 2018 – had picked up “a small calf injury”.
Other sidelined defenders on the comeback trail
Mina might be crocked again but some of Everton’s other defenders were also taking part to varying degrees. Mason Holgate, who Lampard described as “not ready to be in the squad but training very well”, was pictured along with Nathan Patterson, of whom the manager said could be fit “in two to three weeks”, and Ben Godfrey, who isn’t expected back until after the World Cup break.
Game for a laugh
Everton suffered a first defeat in eight matches against Erik ten Hag’s men last time out but many of their players still seemed to be in high spirits. Captain Seamus Coleman appeared to be enjoying a chuckle with his fellow defenders as the aforementioned Holgate got himself between James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, although it’s unclear whether the Yorkshireman was suggesting a new formation at the back.
In the limelight
Everton’s kit manufacturers Hummel have produced some different eye-catching designs for the players to wear and here they were sporting some very bold apparel. Rather than the usual blue gear they’ve been wearing, the squad were standing out in day glow lime coloured t-shirts and tops and as usual, Amadou Onana was happy to pose for the cameras as he modelled the new look alongside Demarai Gray.
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