Everton’s coaching staff are closely monitoring Fabian Delph as they seek to make the most of the midfielder during the final weeks of the season.
Delph has played almost every minute of the Blues’ last two games, underlining his importance to Frank Lampard. But staff are keen not to overload him following his recovery from injury.
Delph was sidelined for months due to a thigh injury but returned to Everton’s squad following the international break. He made the bench against Burnley before playing until the 85th minute against Manchester United - a game in which he was one of several Blues to impress as they clinched a 1-0 victory.
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He then played the full game against Leicester City in midweek. The 32-year-old could be called into action again for the Merseyside derby, though following his injury there remains uncertainty over whether he can play two games in quick succession.
Asked about Delph’s fitness, Lampard said ahead of Sunday’s Anfield tie: “ He's important for us in this period of games between now and the end of the season so I will have to manage that one.”
After the Liverpool match, Everton face a week until they next play - hosting Chelsea at Goodison Park. But with Tom Davies still out and Donny van de Beek and Andre Gomes both missing the derby through injury, Lampard may be reliant on Delph’s durability as he seeks to manage his central midfield options.
He is one of several players whose recovery from injury is important heading into the final seven games, with Yerry Mina also just returning after a long lay-off and uncertainty over whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be fit for Chelsea.
