Everton have been plagued with injuries over the last 12 months which have surely contributed to their struggles in the Premier League, however, a new update has emerged on one player who has been sidelined for the majority of this season

What's the latest?

Ben Godfrey suffered a horrific injury when he broke his leg during Everton's opening Premier League game this term and after being in recovery ever since he has now made his return to action.

The Toffees centre-back was in the starting line-up for the Everton U21's clash with Birmingham City on Friday, which will be a promising development as he picks up minutes and strengthens his body during the international break

Great news for Lampard

There is no doubt that Lampard will be delighted to have some depth in his backline when Everton return to action after Christmas, as the manager will be desperate for his team to pick up crucial points after a disappointing run of form ahead of the World Cup.

The Merseysiders are currently 17th in the Premier League table as they sit just one point above the relegation zone following three defeats in their last five outings before the break, a position Everton are all too familiar with and a position Lampard will not want his side to remain in.

The Toffees only secured survival in the top flight last season in their penultimate fixture after enduring a difficult relegation scrap throughout the campaign and if the side are not careful they could repeat their poor finish or worse - suffer a drop into the Championship.

Indeed, the defensive play at Goodison Park has vastly improved in many moments over the season so far thanks to the flourishing centre-back partnership formed by newly-signed James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, however, it hasn't been enough to keep Everton comfortable.

Rotation is a luxury that Lampard has rarely been afforded since he took the reins at the club in January, with the Blues suffering the worst injury record in the Premier League last season. Therefore, the return of Godfrey is undoubtedly great news for the club as he could become a hugely valuable asset for the former Chelsea boss.

Over 23 league appearances last season, the 24-year-old centre-back won 56% of his defensive duels and completed 75% of his dribbles, as well as averaging two tackles and four clearances proving that he is a reliable and solid defensive presence in the team when available.

With that being said, the return of Godfrey is one of the few positives Lampard will have at the moment at Everton and the manager will be hoping that the defender can make a positive impact when the side return to competitive action.