Fabian Delph and Bernard could be set to make a comeback from injury for Everton against Norwich City on Saturday.
The Toffees’ boss, Marco Silva, revealed on Thursday that although they are still ‘in doubt’ a late fitness test before the game will determine if they will make the comeback (as per Everton).
Everton’s Portuguese manager also revealed that the Brazilian winger had not yet been taking part in full training sessions, despite not being ruled out of the game at the weekend (via Everton).
Time on the sidelines
The injury list at Goodison Park has not made for pleasant reading for Toffees fans of late, with Bernard and Delph joined by Andre Gomes and Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
The attacker has been out for just under a month (per Liverpool Echo), since picking up an injury in the 3-2 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in late October and Delph, a couple of weeks, since the clash with Southampton (via Mirror).
With both returning to availability at some point soon, they will be an essential boost ahead of an immensely difficult winter period for the Toffees (as per BBC).
TiF Tactics – Who gets the green light if both remain injured?
Should both players pass their last-minute medicals ahead of the clash with the Canaries, it is probable that they will start for Silva.
If not, then he will likely deploy a side similar to that in the club’s previous outing, the 2-1 victory over Southampton (per Sky Sports).
If the 29-year-old Englishman is fit, he would likely replace Morgan Schneiderlin and play alongside Tom Davies in the two of the 4-2-3-1.
Then, should Bernard be ready for a return, it is likely that Richarlison would move back to the right-wing and Theo Walcott would be dropped for the returning Brazilian.
This being as both injured players – Bernard 6.63/10 and Delph 6.58/10 – have a higher average rating for the season so far than those they would replace – Walcott 6.36/10 and Schneiderlin 6.16/10 (per Whoscored).