As the international break draws to a close, attention turns back to the Premier League and, for Frank Lampard, that means Everton's trip to Southampton.
He will be well into his preparation - as will those of his stars who have remained around Finch Farm. But his plans will still be shaped by what he learns over the coming days as coaches assess the fitness and form of those returning from representing their countries.
The break will have given him a headstart on some of the questions he needs to answer as he attempts to define Everton's approach on Saturday - by then he will have had a further fortnight to consider whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin is ready for his comeback. It has also thrown up new issues though - including how to respond to the absence of Nathan Patterson. Heading towards the trip to St Mary's, these are some of the subjects likely to be on Lampard's mind.
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Assessing the impact of the international break
While the likes of Conor Coady and Amadou Onana have concluded their international work for the fortnight, several Everton players will be in contention to feature on Tuesday night. Idrissa Gueye's Senegal face Iran, Salomon Rondon could feature for Venezuela against the United Arab Emirates, and club captain Seamus Coleman's Republic of Ireland take on Armenia. Ukraine defender Vitalii Mykolenko is likely to play against Scotland and Alex Iwobi's Nigeria face Algeria. Anthony Gordon and James Garner are also in the England Under-21s squad and could see action against Germany. With his tenure dogged by bad luck with injuries, Lampard will be hoping his players return in peak condition rather than with knocks ahead of what will be a busy October.
Does Dominic Calvert-Lewin start against Southampton?
Calvert-Lewin's return to action will be crucial to the first half of Everton's season. The 25-year-old is yet to play after a knee injury ruled him out on the eve of the campaign. He was expected to feature against West Ham United but was left out of the squad as a precaution - Lampard pointing to the two week break following that game as an ideal period for the striker to prepare for his comeback. He offers strength, height and power up top and will be a valuable asset upon his return. But after Neal Maupay's superb winner against West Ham it would be harsh to drop him and Lampard may also feel it more appropriate to stagger Calvert-Lewin's integration into the first team and start him on the bench on Saturday.
How do you replace Patterson?
Everton have already suffered an injury blow during the international break with Nathan Patterson stretchered off while playing for Scotland. The initial belief is his injury is not as severe as first feared but the club is seeking further analysis and hope to get a firm timeframe for his recovery on Tuesday. What is clear is that one of the club's most impressive performers so far this season will miss upcoming games. The most obvious replacement would be Coleman, who played through injury at the end of last season and then had surgery over the summer. He was fit to play against Fleetwood Town and has been on the bench since.
Could we see another formation change?
Lampard moved to four at the back against Leeds United and has stuck with it since. One way to accommodate Patterson's absence would be for Coleman to slot in at right back. Another option - though Lampard may be reluctant to take it after the improvements brought on by the formation change - would be to revert to playing wing backs. This could mean Michael Keane stepping in alongside James Tarkowski and Conor Coady and Coleman playing right wing-back. Or Coleman could operate as the right-sided centre back, as he did at the end of last season, and academy starlet Stanley Mills could be utilised at wing back. Iwobi could also do a job should that be the move - as he showed so well during the relegation battle. But even though Everton now have far more options in central midfield, his performances have been so good there it would be hard to justify pulling him out of that position.
Does Doucoure get back into starting line-up
Abdoulaye Doucoure started every game of pre-season and began the season alongside Iwobi in the centre of midfield until a hamstring injury led to him coming off in the game at Aston Villa. Since then, Tom Davies has returned to match fitness, Onana has settled in and Idrissa Gueye and James Garner have signed for the club, while Iwobi has gone from strength to strength. Everton are well-stocked in central midfield - as shown by the willingness to let Allan leave. Doucoure, who started on the bench against West Ham, may have to battle for his place in the first team.
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