Injury return
In what will no doubt be a welcome sight for Frank Lampard, the latest set of Everton pictures from Finch Farm confirm that Fabian Delph is back in full training with the rest of the group.
The midfielder has been unavailable over the course of recent weeks through injury and hasn't played a Premier League match for his side since the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in December. That ended a run where he had played a part in five of his side's last seven matches in the competition, particularly looking strong in games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.
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Since then, a thigh issue has kept the midfielder on the sidelines, but he looks to be nearing a potential return for the Blues just when they might need him. Options in midfield looked scarce in Sunday's FA Cup defeat not helped by injury, illness and suspensions.
Delph might well have an important part to play in the remaining weeks of the campaign as Everton look to battle away from the relegation places. He might hope to play at least some role against West Ham following the current international break.
Other absentees back
Delph is not the only player who returned to the training pitch in the latest pictures, and not the only midfielder either. Donny van de Beek could also be seen training with his teammates ahead of the West Ham match next weekend.
The Manchester United loanee missed last week's win over Newcastle United at Goodison Park thanks to illness. That same sickness would have kept him out of the FA Cup clash as well, but he was ineligible for the Blues against Crystal Palace anyway as he is cup-tied from his time with his parent club.
But, again, Lampard will no doubt be happy to see the midfielder back and working towards full fitness for the crucial run-in. He was joined by fellow loanee Anwar El Ghazi in the latest set of pictures as he also becomes available for his side once more following the FA Cup tie last weekend.
Allan is continuing to train with the side despite being ruled out of the trips to face West Ham United and Burnley through suspension. The club's appeals to have the decision to give him a red card against Newcastle overturned, or to have the ban reduced, were both recently rejected.
Chance to impress
As ever, there are a number of youngsters who have been given a chance to impress in first team training. In fact, with numerous players away on international duty this week, they could well have been given slightly more prominent roles in the session.
Reece Welch is the first to make a note of in this sense. The towering young centre-back has been fantastic for the under-23s over the course of the current season and has more than earned his place at Finch Farm with the senior side.
Everton have a number of senior players in that position right now even with Yerry Mina on the sidelines. However, if Lampard persists with a five-man defence, then perhaps the youngster could see an opportunity or two fall his way if he keeps making himself known in training.
Lewis Dobbin is another who will have his eyes on making a mark. Again, he might find himself a little way down the pecking order as Everton have numerous senior options both as a central striker and out on the flanks.
However, potentially call-ups for Anthony Gordon and Richarlison in particular could have given the exciting forward a bit more of an opportunity to show off what he can really do for Lampard. It's tough to give young players time in a relegation fight, but they might have a chance to put the decision beyond doubt for the manager.
Staying sharp
Recent months haven't been easy for Dominic Calvert-Lewin as he has made his recover from a long-term injury. The striker was kept on the sidelines for over four months at the beginning of the campaign with a quadriceps issue, having bagged in each of his first three Premier League matches of the season.
However, he is still looking to score his first goal on his return. A selection of small injury setbacks recently haven't helped him in being able to build up momentum, and much of the term can be described as frustrating.
Having been left out of Gareth Southgate's latest England squad, rather understandably due to his lack of playing time at club level, it's crucial for him to put the hard work in on the training pitch. And the latest images look like he's doing just that.
Numerous pictures depict the striker working tirelessly towards improving his fitness and many show him with the ball at his feet looking to improve his situation in terms of control. And this all fits in with what Lampard said before the international break.
The manager remarked: "Now's a good time for us to work with him in the international break to get that edge, that fitness, to get robust. We'll need him, we want our big players who have delivered before to deliver again.
"Players have got some selected days off for recovery, the ones that aren't away internationally. Then we've got blocks of days where some players can work hard.
"I think it's a good ten-day period to get some fitness in the bank for the run-in. Some players need it, who have not played so much having come off the back of a couple of injuries."
