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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

Frank Lampard faces new Alex Iwobi dilemma as Everton set for squad boost

Everton will be looking for their first back-to-back Premier League wins since September when they travel to face Southampton on Saturday.

Frank Lampard's side were in top form last time out, securing a well-deserved 3-0 victory over Leeds United at Goodison Park in emphatic fashion.

Now the Blues will be tasked with replicating that when they travel to St Mary's at the weekend, looking to get what would be another vital win to drag them away from the bottom of the table.

Everton have struggled with injuries throughout the season and a number of players continue to be unavailable for their next match.

But, could Lampard be convinced to make any changes to his line-up?

Jordan Pickford will likely remain in goal after recovering from what was a shaky performance against Newcastle last week, although Leeds United hardly tested him throughout their time at Goodison Park.

READ MORE: What Seamus Coleman did to Alex Iwobi and Donny van de Beek pep talk spotted in Everton win over Leeds

READ MORE: 'Wasn't like that' - Andy Gray makes Everton claim after Leeds United win

That was largely due to the good work of the defenders in front of him.

Both Michael Keane and Mason Holgate put in strong performances at the heart of defence, which will be a welcome boost to Lampard as he will still be without Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey.

Jarrad Branthwaite is unlikely to step into the side at this stage, so Keane and Holgate would be expected to keep their places in the side for the trip to Southampton.

At full back there were another two good displays from Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny, with the latter really impressing while out-of-position at left back.

Whether he will keep that position is yet to be seen, however, with Vitalii Mykolenko expected to be back to action for the Blues next time out.

Lampard could be tempted to go with the natural player in that position rather than the in-form Kenny.

Further up the field, Donny van de Beek and Allan produced a fantastic partnership in the centre of the pitch - dominating the game both in and out of possession.

The defensive stability and attacking intent they both manage to create provided the perfect balance over the course of the victory over Leeds United, and Everton will hope that is the case again next time out.

It's unlikely that Andre Gomes would be brought straight back into proceedings, while Abdoulaye Doucoure remains on the sidelines due to his latest issue.

Even if the Frenchman was back to full fitness, the performances of Van de Beek and Allan mean that the Blues can afford to be more cautious with his return.

On the flanks, Anthony Gordon has proven himself to be one of the first names on the teamsheet in recent weeks, and that doesn't look like changing any time soon.

On the opposite side, Evertonians saw Alex Iwobi's best performance for the club in a long time against Leeds - as he battled defensively and looked very creative offensively.

However, the potential return of Demarai Gray to full fitness might be a threat to his place in the side.

The returning winger has arguably been the Blues' player of the season so far, and so there could certainly be a temptation to throw him straight back into the action.

But that could all depend on his fitness, of course.

Up front there's unlikely to be any change with both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison putting in fantastic displays against Leeds, despite not being able to get on the scoresheet.

The latter almost did, of course, before his effort took a deflection off Gordon. The former, meanwhile, was starting to look much more sharp as he continues his comeback from injury.

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