'Big miss' - Lampard and EFC without key £80k-p/w star tomorrow as journo shares early team news

Everton manager Frank Lampard will be without midfielder Fabian Delph for Sunday’s game against Brentford.

Everton host the Bees at 16.30 on Sunday in what is shaping up to be another crucial game in the relegation battle.

The Toffees dropped two points away to already-demoted Watford in midweek, drawing 0-0, and could end up either in the bottom three or secure safety depending on results on Sunday.

Should Leeds lose to Brighton in a 14.00 game, then three points would mathematically guarantee survival for Lampard’s side.

Delph started Wednesday’s stalemate at Vicarage Road but he was forced off after 81 minutes, with Allan replacing him.

Joe Thomas, Everton correspondent for The Liverpool Echo, relayed the news on Delph on Friday afternoon.

According to Lampard, he says, ‘Delph is out of [the game against] Brentford’.

The manager is aware of the importance of Delph. Not only is he a ‘good player‘ with real ‘quality’, he’s a ‘great’ presence in the dressing room because of his calmness and experience.

As such, he will be a ‘big miss‘ when Thomas Frank’s side visit Goodison Park.

The 32-year-old had started five of the last six Premier League matches, helping them collect 11 vital points.

But Delph’s £80,000-per-week contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, having had two spells on the sidelines already this season, this latest setback certainly won’t help his chances of a renewal.

In other news, Patrick Boyland drops a contract update.

Source