Frank Lampard has admitted that the decision to potentially play Vitalii Mykolenko against Manchester City on Saturday will lie with the defender himself.
The left-back is fit and available for his side having sat out of the last two matches, with Jonjoe Kenny deputising in that position in his stead.
However, the on-going military invasion by Russia in the 22-year-old's home country of Ukraine has dominated the news over recent days.
When asked whether the defender would be available for this weekend's match at Goodison Park, Lampard initially said that the decision would be between himself and the player.
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However, speaking a little later, the manager admitted that the choice will realistically lie with Mykolenko himself.
Lampard remarked: "I think the decision will be his, if I'm honest.
"I can't make that decision for him, and I wouldn't try and force him in any other direction.
"When I say it's between us, the decision will be his. The feeling I get at the moment is that coming here and feeling the support in training is a small period where his mind is not on other things.
"I'll keep tabs on that day-by-day."
Evertonians are preparing to unveil a banner on the Gwladys Street dedicated to Mykolenko and Ukraine.
Lampard reiterated that everyone at the club will be able to offer the 22-year-old support in any way he feels that he needs it.
And the manager confirmed that he believes the defender has been fine in training, and perhaps sees his time at Finch Farm as an escape from the rest of the world.
"I don't think it'd be right for me to talk about his personal family, it's his position to say that.
"As a club we're there to support him in any way we can. He needs to know we're here in any way.
"How he feels personally, how we can help with his family. I certainly can only control what's in front of me and the rest of the squad with how supported he feels every day.
"That's all we can do at this point.
"He's been good, he's been training well. His training is a mini escape in terms of what's going on in his head and it can be there for that, in tough moments it can sometimes help a young lad.
"I know there are many other people in as tough, if not tougher, positions - but yeah he's been fine."
