Derby boss Wayne Rooney is being linked with a "sensational return" to Everton as his team's Cardiff City crunch looms.
Rooney's Derby face the Bluebirds in what has become a huge game this weekend, with Cardiff needing to win to ease their fears near the foot of the table.
Derby are cut adrift at the bottom and appear certainties to be relegated, but would actually be above Cardiff were it not for their heavy points deduction.
Ahead of the game The Sun claim Rooney could return to Goodison Park as boss 'if Rafa Benitez is forced out.'
Benitez finds himself under fire this season, although the Everton hierarchy are said to be desperate to see him succeed.
According to the paper, Rooney would be on the radar should a contingency plan be required and Everton continue to struggle.
Big-spending Everton languish down in 14th in the Premier League table, having lost to Crystal Palace at the weekend, and next up for Benitez and his side are title-chasers Chelsea.
Rooney burst through as a 16-year-old at Everton and made his mark in football before his move to Manchester United.
The Derby job is his first in management and he insists he will stick by the Rams despite them being rock bottom and having 21 points deducted by the Football League.
Despite Derby's administration woes, and a depleted squad, under Rooney this season they have only lost seven games, compared to Cardiff's 12
Rooney has made them a difficult team to beat, having won five and drawn 10 of their 22 Championship fixtures to date.
However, Cardiff need to win this weekend to stop looking over their own shoulders and with a Boxing Day home clash with Coventry also looming boss Steve Morison will be looking for a six point haul.
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