Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that captain Seamus Coleman has returned to training following a wrist injury.

He missed the friendly defeat to England at Wembley last month due to a recurring wrist injury to the Ireland captain.

Coleman withdrew his wrist in the Premier League match against Brighton in October, losing to Slovakia in the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final.

Meanwhile, Ancelotti confirmed at a press conference on Friday that the 32-year-old is on the verge of returning. But Saturday’s Premier League clash against third-placed Chelsea comes too quickly for the defender.

However, the Donegal-born defender is expected to be fit for a midweek trip to Leicester.

Everton midfielder James Rodriguez will miss the draw with a calf problem at Burnley last weekend.

Rodriguez has scored three goals and given three assists in the 10 games he has started this season. While welcoming ninth-placed Chelsea to Goodison Park, Ancelotti said he could change his formation in the absence of the Colombian.

“James had a minor problem in the match against Burnley. He had a problem with his calf and could not train this week. It’s nothing special,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“I think he’s starting training next week, but I do not want to take a risk for this game. We need to look at him … to see if he’s available to train and play against Leicester (on Wednesday).

“James is a great player for us, but we can adapt to the fact that he’s not going to play. We have a good team, maybe we ‘re going to play a little differently.”

Everton could be without midfielder Fabian Delph, who has had a similar problem with the fullback.

Ancelotti said he was looking forward to a clash with former club Chelsea, where Frank Lampard, who played under Italy at Stamford Bridge, now manages.

“He did well before Chelsea, he did well this season and last season … now he has a great team and a great team,” Ancelotti added.

“Our relationship has changed, it was between the manager and the player, now it’s between colleagues. I’m glad to see him again.”

Online editors