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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Kyle Newbould

Four things spotted in Everton training as Abdoulaye Doucoure returns ahead of derby

Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton Frank Lampard James Garner Idrissa Gueye Neal Maupay Liverpool Anthony Gordon James Vaughan Goodison

Everton have been continuing their preparations for Saturday's huge Merseyside derby with another training session at Finch Farm.

Frank Lampard's side host Liverpool in tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off at Goodison Park still looking for their first league win of the season - or hoping to continue their three-game unbeaten run, depending on levels of optimism. The Blues held strong at Elland Road in midweek to earn a 1-1 draw with Leeds United, and even had late chances to win the game.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool look to have found their feet after a slow start, thumping Bournemouth 9-0 last weekend before a last-minute Fabio Carvalho winner against Newcastle on Wednesday. They come to Goodison off the back of consecutive derby wins, but know they'll be in for a stern test against a resolute Blues side.

And ahead of Saturday's massive clash, here are four things spotted from Everton's latest training session.

Deadline day duo present

Idrissa Gueye and Anthony Gordon during Everton training (Getty Images)

Everton's two deadline day signings, Idrissa Gueye and James Garner, were both involved in training less than 24 hours after officially joining the club.

Lampard finally found midfield reinforcements just hours before Thursday's 11pm deadline, finalising a return to Merseyside for Senegal international Gueye after protracted negotiations and securing 21-year-old Garner - for an initial £9million - with less than an hour to spare.

The Blues boss confirmed during his pre-game press conference that both will be eligible to face Liverpool, and he is wasting no time integrating the duo ahead of a huge derby. Defensive destroyer Gueye was spotted in the middle of a dreaded rondo, while Garner was put through his paces physically - and looked happy enough to do so.

Abdoulaye Doucoure back in training

Abdoulaye Doucoure was back in training (Getty Images)

Finally some positive injury news for Lampard with Abdoulaye Doucoure back in training for the first time since his injury in the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

The 29-year-old picked up a knock half-an-hour into Everton's second game of the season and has missed the three draws against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Leeds. Midfield depth has been a big problem for the Blues boss already this season, so Doucoure's reintroduction into first-team action will be welcomed with relief - solid arrivals in the middle will also allow the Frenchman to be reintegrated carefully.

Doucoure looked to have gone through some light work - including a game of rock, paper, scissors with Garner - but was involved with the rest of the squad rather than alone, providing another promising sign of his nearing return.

Neal Maupay happy and eligible for derby

Neal Maupay could make his debut on Saturday (Getty Images)

Another new arrival, Neal Maupay, was grinning form ear to ear after finally being registered as a Toffee.

The 26-year-old arrived from Brighton for around £15million on Friday, putting pen to paper on a three-year contract at Goodison. But a delay from the Premier League's side - apparently due to the bank holiday - meant the striker was unable to feature at Elland Road three days after joining.

Those in charge at Premier League HQ look to have kicked into gear and the French forward is finally eligible to make his debut on Saturday, and he looked buzzing in training at the prospect of a Merseyside derby. Maupay was spotted getting stuck into some light physical work alongside Garner and Anthony Gordon.

Smiles all-round

Tom Davies, Conor Coady, Amadou Onana and Alex Iwobi during Everton training (Getty Images)

Saturday's derby will no doubt be a tense and nervy affair for both halves of Merseyside, but Lampard looks to be making an effort to take the seriousness out of preparations in a bid to ease the pressure.

The Blues boss can be seen laughing and joking with some of his squad, while players look relaxed - Doucoure and Garner's quick game one of the most tense moments - and excited for tomorrow.

No doubt build-up tomorrow will take a different approach as players focus on a huge task and prepare for battle, but a more light-hearted approach to the final session should ease the nerves and allow the players to look forward to the derby, rather than dread it.

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