Yerry Mina is in contention for the starting line-up for Everton's Carabao Cup tie with Bournemouth.
The centre-back has been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury during the second half of the first game of the seaso n against Chelsea. But after a further setback delayed his recovery, Mina is likely to be involved in the cup squad and could start on Tuesday night.
His return could be one of a host of changes made by Frank Lampard for the first of two trips to Bournemouth in five days, with the cup tie being seen as an opportunity to give chances to squad players and members of the Under-21s side.
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Mina's Everton career has been beset by injuries and Lampard had to carefully manage him during the final weeks of last season. There was hope he had overcome his troubles and the Colombia international started alongside James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey for the season opener at Goodison Park. The match turned into a nightmarish start to the campaign for Lampard as first Godfrey then Mina picked up serious injuries.
Godfrey was stretchered off after suffering a fractured fibula and is building towards a return when the domestic calendar resumes after the World Cup. Mina's ankle issue was less serious but his recovery has been hampered by setbacks.
He has returned to training, though, and the 28-year-old is now in contention for the starting XI against Bournemouth. Mason Holgate, his centre-back colleague, could also play his first minutes since he was injured in the draw at Brentford.
Holgate replaced Godfrey against Chelsea and retained his position until the 1-1 draw with the Bees, in which he suffered a knee injury. He returned to training several weeks ago and has since been part of matchday squads and could get his first minutes since his recovery on the south coast.
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