Everton are expecting to welcome James Rodriguez and Yerry Mina back from injury this weekend.
Sheffield United visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday, looking to avoid a ninth defeat in their last 10 matches.
The Toffees, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last seven in the league. Five of those have admittedly been draws, including their latest outing – a 0-0 stalemate at Aston Villa on Thursday night.
“I think he’ll start to train with the team on Friday, after the game,2 Everton manager, Carlo Ancelotti, told The Liverpool Echo about Rodriguez.
“I hope that on Friday and Saturday, if he trains properly, he can play against Sheffield United.
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“He’s pain free now, he has no problem.”
Rodriguez has not played the last two matches for the Merseyside team after picking up a problem in a warm-up earlier this month.
As for Mina, Ancelotti added: “I hope to recover him for the game against Sheffield United.
“If he doesn’t play against Sheffield United, he can play in the last two games of the season.”
Mina started against West Ham United last weekend, but was withdrawn because of an adductor injury.
Yet after sitting out the Villa draw the centre-back looks set to return.
How important are Rodriguez and Mina for Everton?
Both are key players for Ancelotti. Particularly Rodriguez, who has scored six goals and provided four assists in 22 league games this season.
Mina, meanwhile, has only played 23 times in the top flight in 2020/21 as both have struggled with fitness issues.
Having them back to face United will certainly be a boost for Ancelotti.
Although the Italian would have expected his side to beat the Blades without them.
United lost to the Toffees on Boxing Day – one of 28 league defeats already this term.
It’s why the South Yorkshire side have recorded the earliest ever relegation from the Premier League.
Everton, on the other hand, are currently eighth and looking to seal European qualification.
