Everton manager Frank Lampard has confirmed Ben Godfrey and Demarai Gray are fit and in contention to start Sunday’s Premier League clash with Wolves at Goodison Park.
Lampard added Michael Keane is also available after recovering from a fever. The centre-back was substituted at half-time in Monday’s defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Blues boss revealing the defender felt unwell ahead of kick-off but was determined to “put himself out there” for the team.
Godfrey has returned to full training this week after recovering from a hamstring tear sustained in Lampard’s first game as Everton manager, a 4-1 FA Cup victory over Brentford on 5 February.
Gray has been unavailable for Everton’s past two matches through illness but could also make his First-Team comeback against Wolves.
Yerry Mina remains sidelined as he continues his rehabilitation from a quadriceps injury.
Midfield duo Fabian Delph (thigh) and Tom Davies (hamstring) are also out.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm, Lampard said: “It won’t be a dramatic change of approach for Wolves.
“It will be an approach we see relevant for the opposition and maybe [there will be changes] as we have players available who haven’t been, and they are big players.
“Ben Godfrey is a big player for us and so is Demarai Gray. They are both fit.
“I haven’t really been able to call on them but now I can, and we need our big players.”
On Keane, Lampard added: “Michael was suffering with a bit of a fever going into the Spurs game.
“The thing that people don’t see about that situation is that, whilst he was feeling below-par, we needed him and he played in the game. I remember doing that as a player myself. You don’t always get the plaudits and sometimes after the game you wish you hadn’t played.
“The beauty of it is he is dedicated and professional and he wanted to put himself out there. He suffered in the game and came off because he was suffering.
“He was still suffering for a couple of days afterwards but now he’s feeling better.”
January signing Dele’s five Premier League appearances since joining Everton day have all been as a substitute.
Asked whether the 25-year-old could make his first Toffees start on Sunday, Lampard replied: “Am I considering it? Yes, always. When you come in fresh [as a manager] you have to consider everybody.
“It’s an area of the pitch where we have good competition – in forward areas, attacking midfield and wide positions. The players have to show they deserve to have a start.
“With Dele, he came here having not played regular first-team football for a long time. That has to be taken into account in terms of getting him fit, but at the moment he’s fit and ready to start.”
Last Thursday’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Boreham Wood at Goodison saw Lampard give senior Everton debuts to teenage duo Reece Welch and Isaac Price.
Lampard says he will strive ensure a “pathway” remains from the Academy to the First Team – but stressed the importance of experience as Everton prepare for a crucial run of matches.
“As a coach, I always try to form that relationship quickly [with the Academy],” he said.
“I like to give young players a pathway and an idea that they can come into the team and help.
“I played with [Everton Director of Academy and Under-23s manager] David Unsworth. I know him and I know the history of the Academy.
“The young players have trained with us and they’ve showed up well.
“If needed, I would have no problems relying on them – but at the moment it’s a time to make sure we can get out of this situation, probably using the First-Team squad and players.
“But that pathway will always be open while I’m here.”
