BREAKING NEWS

Double Fitness Boost For Lampard

Frank Lampard has revealed Fabian Delph and Seamus Coleman will be available for Everton's clash with Burnley - but the Blues will be without Donny van de Beek for Wednesday's trip to Turf Moor.

Delph has been sidelined with a troublesome thigh injury since mid-December, while Coleman missed the weekend's slender defeat at West Ham United due to illness - but both could feature against the Clarets.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Everton boss Lampard said a decision over Coleman's ability to start the match has yet to be made.

Netherlands international Van de Beek, meanwhile, will be unavailable after suffering a "small grade thigh injury" in the warm-up at London Stadium on Sunday.

There was a more serious setback for Nathan Patterson, who is expected to undergo an operation on an ankle injury, a problem Lampard says could curtail the 20-year-old's season. 

Allan and Michael Keane are suspended for the Burnley showdown, but will be available for Saturday's visit of Manchester United.

Andros Townsend (knee), Yerry Mina (quadriceps) and Tom Davies (hamstring) remain absent.

Lampard said: "Fabian Delph is back in the squad, which is good news for us. He's been working hard to get back in there.

"It's a position where, obviously, we haven't got a lot of players in the squad - that natural defensive midfield position. He's played in there throughout his career and even as a left-back a lot at Manchester City, so he has those attributes and thought processes in terms of playing which we haven't got much of.

"Trying to keep him fit in this period is crucial for us and everything I've seen from him here shows he's desperate to get back and desperate to help.

"I know his qualities and he's a personality within the squad as well. Let's hope we can get him fit and on the pitch to help us.

"Seamus is better now, having been unwell. He'll be in the squad. Whether he can start or not will be one to keep an eye on over the next 24 hours.


"But Donny won't be fit. It's a small grade thigh injury, which will make him fit [for the match against Leicester City]. He [is ineligible] to play against Manchester United at the weekend anyway."

On Patterson's setback, Lampard said: "He's been down to see a specialist on his ankle and we're looking at having a small operation later this week.

"He's frustrated. It's slightly easier when you're an older man and can tell him that he's young and has got so much time.

"The timing of this will probably mean he'll have the summer to really get over it and be fighting fit for the start of next season.

"It's really unfortunate for him but we just have to accept it. He'll get all the right support and he'll be back."

When asked specifically if the problem could end the Scot's season, Lampard added: "Possibly. The diagnosis we have is that it's looking like an eight to 10 week injury."