Everton have had a number of injuries to key players over the course of the season, which has led to inconsistency in the team and as a consequence has left the side struggling to pick up points in the Premier League this season, however a lifeline may be handed to Frank Lampard ahead of the huge Manchester City clash at Goodison Park this weekend.

What's the word?

The Toffees boss took to his post-match interview to give an update ahead of the Premier League fixture against the league champions at the weekend.

Lampard spoke to the media following the 2-0 defeat at St Mary's:

“Doucoure might be close to being fit for the game, and that will give me different midfield options. We weren’t good enough in midfield today. That’s the job for us in the week to get right.”

Abdoulaye Doucoure had been sidelined with an injury in the 65th minute of the Premier League match against Aston Villa at Goodison Park due to a groin problem before Lampard's appointment but was spotted in the warm-up with his teammates ahead of the Southampton game last Saturday.

Lampard will be delighted

If his comments are anything to go by, the ex-Chelsea boss was less than satisfied with his team's performance in the most recent defeat to Southampton, especially the midfield, so he will surely be delighted to have Doucoure back in the side, due to his experience and impact on the team when he has featured in the side.

The 29-year-old midfielder has the highest number of assists in the Everton team this season, creating successful chances for his teammates on four occasions and scoring himself twice, and Lampard will definitely want to add that creativity into this side ahead of his toughest challenge yet against Manchester City at the weekend.

According to SofaScore, when you look at his all-round midfield attributes aside from goal involvement, Doucoure makes on average 2.3 tackles per game, is successful in the majority of his dribbles (55%) and wins the majority of his duels (51%).

As a result, the Frenchman's return couldn't come sooner for Everton as they still face an uphill battle over the last few months of the season to pick up points and to climb out of a relegation battle they could face if they don't start to perform.

Thus, the manager will surely be relieved to have player's returning from injury to give him the best chance of securing Premier League football comfortably for next season.

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