Everton have been handed a big injury boost as the World Cup approaches, as manager Frank Lampard detailed yesterday…

What’s the latest?

Speaking at his press conference prefacing the game against Leicester City, the 44-year-old noted a potential return for Yerry Mina. He said:

“Yerry Mina is at that last stage as well, he’s trained a few days together this week consecutively so, he’s very close to being able to play. We’re at a decent position with that.”

This marks a big boost after the Colombian was struck down in their opening-day defeat to Chelsea, having been unavailable since.

It’s huge for Lampard

Whilst it may not seem like huge news given the success of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady, it might allow Lampard some more tactical freedom with his return.

Although he seems settled in his 4-3-3 formation, there is a widespread belief that the English coach’s favoured formation is a 3-4-3.

When he first came into Goodison Park he opted for it, and the start of the season saw him try it once again before deciding that it was perhaps lacking the personnel.

Now that Mina seems poised to return, it could be the perfect combination to allow the current defence that has the third-best record in the Premier League to merge with the man who not too long ago bolstered the win percentage from 19% to 36%.

He has been an impressive defender for the Toffees, as shown by his record under ex-manager Carlo Ancelotti, where the 28-year-old managed to feature 24 times in the league.

The 6 foot 3 goliath averaged a 7.07 SofaScore rating, making 4.5 clearances per game. That actually outperforms Conor Coady’s current form, which is rated at 6.97.

Although Lampard has found success with the 4-3-3, at the very least Mina’s return gives the option for added flexibility across the park to potentially alter the tactical makeup of the team depending on the opposition.

The game against the Foxes may be a step too early for him, but hopefully, Evertonians can expect to see a cameo before the World Cup, where he can then really kick into his rehabilitation during the break.