Vitalii Mykolenko could help Everton make major summer signing

As much as Everton's season effectively finished against Crystal Palace on that remarkable Goodison Park evening, for some players concentration and fitness levels have not been allowed to sag.

Some will be involved in the semi-serious Nations League for their international clubs, but for others there's the ultra-serious business of World Cup playoffs.

On Wednesday at Hampden Park, the Toffees have a dog in each fight as Scotland play Ukraine, with the winner taking on Wales on Sunday in Cardiff to secure a spot at the Qatar tournament.

There was even potential for the Everton duo to line up in a direct battle, with Ukraine's left-back Vitalii Mykolenko potentially in a duel with Scotland's right-back Nathan Patterson. But it has been confirmed that the latter has not yet fully recovered from the ankle problem that has limited to just one appearance for the Blues.

So Evertonians eyes tuning in will be trailed on Mykolenko in the main, although the presence of the left-back may also help inform the Toffees on a potential transfer target.

Everton have been mentioned as possible suitors for Ukraine skipper and Manchester City utility man Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The 25-year-old is said to have been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs - the Manchester Evening News have reported that Arsenal hold a serious interest - , having been dislodged as the starting left-back at the Etihad Stadium by Joao Cancelo.

But for Ukraine, with Mykolenko manning the left flank, Zinchenko tends to operate in his preferred position in central midfield.

With Mykolenko doing a decent job at replacing Lucas Digne since arriving in January, if Everton were to move for Zinchenko then you suspect it would be with a midfield