Everton striker Kevin Mirallas believes the return of influential midfielder Marouane Fellaini could provide a psychological blow ahead of the Merseyside derby.

The Belgium international has been battling against a knee injury he picked up while on international duty earlier in the month.

The midfielder, who has been a key ingredient in the success that David Moyes and Everton have enjoyed so far this Premier League season, missed the 1-1 draw against QPR, as well as Belgium’s games against Serbia and Scotland.

The 24-year-old has responded positively to his treatment and is expected to make the line-up for the 219th Merseyside derby when Liverpool and Everton lock horns at Anfield at the weekend.

Mirallas is convinced that just the sight of his countryman in the starting XI will provide everybody in blue a mental boost.

“I think he will be playing on Sunday," Mirallas told the Liverpool Daily Post.

“He is a fantastic player and when he’s not there it's harder for the team to get good results.

“It’s also good to have Marouane available because he is scary for the other team. People in the opposition fear him. It will be really important for him to play. He would be a psychological asset.”

The clash however will have come too early for Darron Gibson who has also been struggling with injury and has been out since the beginning of September.

Tony Hibbert is one player who should make the squad after beating his battle with injury. The defender has been out of action since last month’s game against Newcastle and yesterday made a return in the under-21 side.

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