Everton handed huge boost ahead of Leicester clash, Lampard will be buzzing - opinion

Everton star Richarlison will ‘hopefully’ be fit to face Leicester City in the Premier League this afternoon, according to Toffees manager Frank Lampard.

As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, the 43-year-old said: “Yeah, Richy’s got a bit of a sore ankle from the one he twisted at Liverpool. That’s sort of been around since then, but hopefully will be fine.”

The Brazilian scored the winning goal against Chelsea last weekend and has been a kingpin in preserving the Merseyside outfit’s survival push of late.

With five matches left and Everton still in the relegation zone, having the 24-year-old available for the remainder of the campaign is absolutely vital.

Two points adrift of safety, the Toffees need as many players available as possible as they face a busy run-in to try and secure their top-flight status, thus avoiding a first Premier League relegation.

That particularly includes Richarlison, who has netted eight goals and registered four assists in the league this season, making the winger the Toffees’ top scorer in the current campaign.

To emphasise the 24-year-old’s importance to the cause, half of those goals have come in the last five matches for Everton.

With the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the most part this season, the Brazilian has stepped up during what has been a dismal campaign for the Merseyside outfit, and he will be a major catalyst if Everton secure survival.

Richarlison’s availability would also be a major boost given the Toffees’ wretched away form in 2021/22, as their chances of securing a result at the King Power Stadium would be seriously hindered without the winger, with Everton picking up just six points away from Goodison Park since August.

The Foxes will look to secure a top half finish