Frank Lampard is hoping that Yerry Mina will return to action for Everton in the 'next couple of weeks' - and has also provided updates on Andros Townsend and Fabian Delph.
Mina suffered a quadriceps issue in the first half of his side's loss at Newcastle United back in February. The centre-back has been sidelined since.
Mina has managed to make just 11 appearances in all competitions this season, only two of which have come under Lampard - for a combined total of about 111 minutes for his new boss.
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But speaking ahead of Sunday’s game at West Ham United, Lampard revealed that the Colombia international could hopefully return to action by the middle of April. The Everton boss also explained how important the defender is to his side.
Lampard said: “Yerry Mina should hopefully be back with us in the next couple of weeks.
"He's a big player for us, he’s an international player, a player of stature and a player of personality. A big personality in the dressing room.
“I knew that before I came and I know that now even though I haven't had much on-pitch time to work with him unfortunately.
“But if you miss a player of that level, particularly in an area of the pitch where you want stability....and centre-back is difficult because they bring you not just quality but the right competition and they drive the team.
“In our position centre-back is a crucial area. So it has been a big miss. Players have filled in, but having him back is obviously a big bonus for us, hopefully when he does come back.”
The Blues boss also offered an update on Andros Townsend. The winger recently had surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up against Crystal Palace last time out.
He said: “Andros Townsend we know is a long-term injury, unfortunately. We all feel a lot for him there. It is a difficult time for Andros, but we will support him and he will be back strong because of the lad he is."
Delph was seemingly back in training with his Everton team-mates at the beginning of the international break. However, there was no sign of him in yesterday's session. And Lampard has revealed the midfielder is still a week away from returning following a 'complicated injury'.
“ Fabian Delph, we are hoping is another week or so,” he said. "But it has been a slightly complicated injury.
“But again, it will be a big plus to have him back in the squad because in that area, it is an area we do have some issues. That’s where we are at.”
