Rafa Benitez has revealed Yerry Mina and Salomon Rondon could feature for Everton against Arsenal on Monday (8pm GMT), as he explained the pair’s fitness will continue to be assessed over the weekend.
Rondon was substituted just before the hour mark in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby after sustaining a knock, while Mina has been out since October with a hamstring injury.
Benitez confirmed Mina played a part in Friday’s training session at USM Finch Farm, while Rondon is “getting better” and is awaiting the results of a scan.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Benitez added Dominic Calvert-Lewin is making good progress in his rehabilitation from a quadricep injury but is still “at least two weeks away” from returning to action.
Andre Gomes is fit and in contention for selection after recovering from a calf problem, but fellow midfielder Tom Davies remains out with a knee injury.
Mason Holgate is available again after serving a three-match suspension.
Benitez said: "Yerry Mina has today [Friday] done part of the training session. He is getting closer. We will see how he reacts in the next couple of days, to see if he is available or not.
"With Rondon, we are assessing him. He is feeling better but we need to wait for the scan and see how he is doing.
"Andre Gomes has been training. We are still missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies.
"The other players at the moment are available."
Calvert-Lewin – Everton's top scorer last season with 21 goals – has been unable to feature for the Blues since the 2-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on 28 August.
Benitez praised the application and work-ethic the striker has shown during his recovery process – and insisted the Club will not take any risks regarding his First-Team comeback.
"Dominic is doing well," he added.
"I was talking with the physio and the fitness coach today, and with Dom the other day. But it will still be a couple of weeks, minimum [before he can play].
"We have to be very careful with him. We have to sure he is getting stronger and getting well.
"He is quite happy [with his progress] but we have to be careful."
