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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

Four things spotted from Everton training as injury returns near and Ashley Cole crucial

Injury returns nearing

Returns might not be imminent for some Everton players, such as Yerry Mina, but others are getting closer to making comebacks.

Blues fans will be delighted to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin involved in sessions this week after he missed his side's last outing against Man City at Goodison Park.

The striker will likely miss the match against Boreham Wood this weekend, but could hope to be fit again for the visit to Tottenham Hotspur next week.

Meanwhile, Ben Godfrey looks to be continuing his individual sessions on the training pitch. The centre-back has been absent since being taken off injured in Frank Lampard's first match in charge of Everton, the 4-1 win over Brentford in the FA Cup last month.

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And the latest set of training images also show Fabian Delph back out at Finch Farm and also seeming to be taking part in individual sessions.

He last appeared for the Blues in the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in December.

Youngsters involved

It's hardly a surprise to see a number of youngsters involved in Everton's senior training sessions these days.

The Blues have handed these sort of opportunities to a selection of players over the course of the campaign and that has led to a few stepping up to receive first-team minutes.

Lewis Dobbin has probably been the most high-profile of those and can be seen in the latest round of training images once again.

He last got onto the pitch for his side in the FA Cup win over Hull City, but played a prominent role in the second half of the 1-1 draw away to Chelsea in December too.

Tyler Onyango is another face which doesn't provide any surprise in the first team picture these days, especially with the potential to change up the midfield after a tough game last time out.

Donny van de Beek and Dele are both cup-tied - with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan having played an energetic match against Man City.

Perhaps Onyango could see himself called upon.

Reece Welch has been regularly involved in senior training across recent weeks and again he has been pictured with the group at Finch Farm.

He's been in very impressive form for the under-23s over the course of the campaign thus far, and it seems only a matter of time before he will get a chance in the first team.

Whether that will be on Thursday or not is yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, Isaac Price has also been pictured with the senior group in the build-up to this game.

He's been on an impressive rise through the ranks in recent months and years, regularly putting in strong performances for both Paul Tait's under-18s and David Unsworth's U23s.

Is that about to be rewarded with a senior bow?

Ball change

This might only be a small change, but it's certainly worth making a note of.

Usually you would see Everton taking part in their first team training sessions with footballs used in the Premier League - as you would obviously expect.

In fact, with Godfrey continuing his individual work, he's still using a yellow ball used in the top division.

However, for those who are set for some involvement against Boreham Wood on Thursday have been training using different equipment.

The squad have been using Mitre footballs in preparation for their midweek game, as they are the footballs that are used in all FA Cup matches this season.

It's only a slight tweak, of course, but every little difference could be crucial in the build-up to any game.

Gordon advice

Anthony Gordon has continued to be a key player for Everton over the course of the last few months.

Having battled in the early portion of the season to get himself a regular starting place, the winger can realistically count himself as one of the first names on the team-sheet these days.

His brand of physicality, pace, technical ability and desire have made him someone the Everton fanbase can instantly relate to - and he makes his side much better whenever he's in it.

There are a number of pictures of Gordon involved in the latest training session as Everton prepare to take on Boreham Wood, with the 21-year-old likely to want to be involved.

And, interesting, a few of the images show the winger deep in conversation with Ashley Cole.

The Blues coach has his arm around Gordon and seems to be giving him a specific bit of individual advice, perhaps letting him know the kind of situations full backs do not want to be in.

Rather than just focusing on the defensive side of things, Cole is clearly an important hand with players all over the pitch - and will continue to be crucial for Lampard.

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