Fabian Delph has landed the ideal chance to hand Carlo Ancelotti a “good headache” after Everton midfielder Allan sustained a potential injury while with the Brazil national side.

What’s the word?

According to Globo Esporte, Allan is a doubt for Brazil’s World Cup qualifying tie with Uruguay on Tuesday night after reporting pain in his muscle following last Friday’s 1-0 win over Venezuela.

Allan featured for the full 90 minutes to earn his 10th-cap as Brazil remained top of the CONMEBOL standings by two points to Argentina, but will need be re-evaluated ahead of kick-off to assess the situation.

Tite had planned to name an unchanged line-up against Venezuela, though is now expected to call on Juventus’ Arthur to come in and replace Allan should the Toffees star’s clinical issue prevent his involvement.

Allan has been a mainstay of Ancelotti’s plans at Goodison Park since his summer arrival from SSC Napoli, with the £21million enforcer starting seven of a possible eight Premier League games.

Ancelotti was without the 29-year-old for Everton’s 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last month through a groin strain sustained against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup.

Tom Davies started in place of Allan at home to the Seagulls but Delph will be hoping he is given the nod at Fulham on Sunday, should Allan return to Merseyside in a condition that will force Ancelotti into changes at Craven Cottage.

Last chance saloon

Delph would have hoped to see his name called when Ancelotti was without Allan at home to Brighton last month, and been ever-more disappointed to be omitted from the matchday squad against Manchester United prior to the international break through a minor problem.

The blow was only expected to force Delph to sit out the Red Devils’ trip to Merseyside, so should be an option for Ancelotti this weekend, offering the 30-year-old a chance to earn just his second start of the Premier League season.

Delph, described as "aggressive and clever" by Pep Guardiola following a Man City win against Chelsea in 2017, earned his sole start as Everton lost 2-1 at Newcastle United earlier this month and stood out despite the result. The £10million Marco Silva signing was tidy in possession and showed good awareness to help cover young left-back Niels Nkounkou, putting in a handful of strong challenges.

Silva lauded Delph for offering Everton multiple options during his tenure at Goodison Park, with the Portuguese able to call on the England midfielder alongside Andre Gomes, Morgan Schneiderlin, Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

“It's a good headache, it's what I want!” Silva stressed, via quotes by the Liverpool Echo. “The players on the bench have the quality and are working hard to play – and the players that are playing have had a good performance like the situation was against West Ham.

"It's a very good headache for me, it's what I like and it's up to them to keep working.”

Delph now has a golden chance to hand Ancelotti a “good headache” of his own by impressing against Fulham should Allan not be passed fit, offering the Italian an option who Pep Guardiola lauded for being Manchester City’s banker during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

“You cannot be the England captain and help the team if you are not a good guy. Fabian is an important player for us. Last season he helped us by playing in that position when Mendy was injured, and he did well,” said Guardiola, via quotes by The Express.

“It is not easy when you play in different positions, but he has. There is always room for the team to improve, but Fabian is always a banker for us – and the other players know it.”

But if Ancelotti overlooks Delph at Fulham this weekend, the writing may soon be on the wall for the £80,000-per-week outcast heading into January's mid-season transfer window.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands can solve a “concerning” situation with a decisive call on Everton’s £54k-p/w enforcer...