Huge boost: Everton handed big relegation lifeline as early CPFC injury update emerges - opinion

Everton will host Crystal Palace in their final home game of the season at Goodison Park, and now some fresh injury news has emerged from the Crystal Palace camp that could give Frank Lampard the lifeline he needs.

According to BBC Sport football reporter Alex Howell, Patrick Vieira has confirmed that four players will be unavailable for selection and will not be in the squad against Everton on Thursday night.

Howell tweeted:

“Vieira also confirmed that James McArthur, Nathan Ferguson, Michael Olise and James Tomkins will not be in the CPFC squad for the game against Everton.”

With Crystal Palace missing these players it could be the perfect opportunity for the Toffees to capitalise on taking the victory and securing safety in the Premier League ahead of the final game of the season at the Emirates on Sunday.

Everton currently have a two-point cushion on the bottom three in the table and squandered their chance to end their relegation battle last weekend when they lost at home to Brentford, going down to nine-men over the 90 minutes which will be a big blow for Lampard.

However, with Vieira’s side coming to Merseyside with a weakened squad and a side that has nothing to play for in their final games of the season, it should give Everton the golden opportunity and lifeline they need to secure survival.

The Toffees boss has already confirmed that Yerry Mina and Fabian Delph remain unavailable for selection in their penultimate clash tomorrow evening, along with Salomon Rondon and Jarrad Branthwaite both suspended following red cards in the last game.

Everton have only lost one of their last four games, with the side picking up 11 points from their last seven but the final three points to remove them from the relegation