Everton are close to tying up a deal to sign experienced centre-back Conor Coady as a solution to their defensive injury crisis.
The Blues moved swiftly in the transfer market following the weekend defeat by Chelsea, where Ben Godfrey suffered a broken leg, and injury-troubled Yerry Mina also limped out of the game.
Boss Frank Lampard has shown an interest in Wolves and England defender Coady - who was born Merseyside - but that intensified further when he realised he is likely to be without the two injured defenders for several months which has left him short on bodies at the back.
