Everton have a real chance of securing European football this season, with their win last time out marking a real statement for the Toffees.
They still have West Ham and Manchester City to face this season, while a clash with Aston Villa on Saturday evening could also be a tough one.
The Villans and Everton are separated by three points at the moment with the two historic clubs enjoying impressive campaigns, but while Villa will still be missing Jack Grealish, Carlo Ancelotti has the luxury of welcoming back one of his injury casualties from recent days.
As per Ben Dinnery on Twitter, Michael Keane will be back in the Everton line-up on Saturday after his recovery from a hamstring problem. The centre-back missed their 1-0 victory over Arsenal last time out, with Ben Godfrey moving across from full-back to take his place in the middle.
Ancelotti’s side kept a clean sheet without him when he was absent but it will be a huge boost to have him back in the XI. After all, the England international has only missed two games for the Merseyside club this season, becoming one of their most important players.
No Everton player has made more interceptions per game than Keane this term (1.5) while his 2.9 aerial duels won per match are more than any other Toffees centre-half. The 28-year-old also has the second-best passing success rate (87.4%) in the squad of those to have played more than six games.
Keane clearly offers a lot to Everton, so it’s no surprise to see that he’s been such a big success under Ancelotti. He is astute at reading the ball and is composed when bringing it forward from defence.
With the Toffees pushing for European football, it will be a big boost to have such an important player back fit as the season approaches its climax.