Frank Lampard reveals Everton’s triple injury boost ahead of Southampton game

Everton head coach Frank Lampard has provided a positive injury update on three valuable members of the playing squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to Southampton.

Saturday’s fixture will be Lampard’s fourth game in charge of the club after being appointed as Rafa Benitez’s successor last month.

His reign started with a convincing 4-1 win over Brentford in the FA Cup before suffering a 3-1 defeat to Newcastle United. They returned to winning ways last weekend with another convincing home win, this time overcoming Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United 3-0.

Southampton are next up for Lampard and Everton, a team that have avoided defeat against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their previous three league encounters, looking to add some breathing room between themselves and the dreaded dotted line at the bottom of the Premier League.

Injury latest

Ahead of the trip down south, Lampard has given an update on the injured players at the club.

Demarai Gray, who was forced off in the defeat to Newcastle United, won’t be available for the game, but left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko is back.

Lampard also shared more information on Ben Godfrey, with the defender “getting closer” and is around two or three weeks away from returning to action after sustaining a hamstring tear in the FA Cup win over Brentford.

Another bonus for Everton will be the latest of Abdoulaye Doucoure. The French midfielder suffered a groin problem in the home defeat to Aston Villa in January and the Toffees boss has confirmed the midfielder has a chance of making the next game.

Player praise

It wasn’t just injury updates that Lampard was sharing out to the media on Thursday, the former Chelsea boss was full of praise for Donny van de Beek and Alex Iwobi after their performances against Leeds.

Van de Beek started and impressed at Goodison Park whilst Iwobi was handed his first start since the draw at Chelsea in December.

“I’m really impressed [on Van de Beek]. On a professional level, absolutely impressed with his fitness and sharpness,” Lampard said.

“He’s a top level player, to have a tough time is not easy.

“He shows that if you keep your head down and working, there’s always a way through it.”

On Iwobi’s contribution, Lampard said: “The reason I picked him is because of how he trained.

“He’s a talented player and his team-mates know that.

“I was particularly pleased with his physical output and his defensive role. It felt like he could run for another 90 minites.”