What The Papers Say - 15 April

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

BBC SPORT takes a look at early team news ahead of the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday (2pm BST kick-off).

The visitors received a blow on Tuesday evening as Hugo Ekitike was stretchered off in their 4-0 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals. After the clash, manager Arne Slot believed the French forward's injury was serious.

"I think it is bad," Slot told Amazon Prime. "Hugo looks really bad but it is difficult to say how bad.

"It doesn't look good, that is clear. I have heard many things, I have no word to talk about that because with the World Cup coming it is very, very hard for him and I send him my prayers."

Meanwhile, online outlet Sports Boom speculates Everton are among the leading contenders to sign Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera on a loan deal this summer.

The 21-year-old is highly rated at the Emirates Stadium but has found his minutes restricted due to the form of Gabriel and William Saliba, opening the door to a potential loan move for the Spanish international ahead of next season.

The Blues will face stiff competition from various clubs in Europe for Mosquera's signature, with the online outlet claiming that Atalanta, Napoli, Benfica, Bournemouth, Monaco and Marseille are all interested in the former Valencia defender.