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Ancelotti denies James homesickness as injured duo return for derby


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Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has been boosted by the return of two key players just in time for the Merseyside derby. 

The club's top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin and midfielder Allan are both back in contention for the game with Liverpool at Anfield.

Calvert-Lewin has missed Everton's last two Premier League games with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Allan hasn't played since the mid-December win over Leicester at the King Power.

"I think, for the fact that we have a lot of games in this period," Ancelotti told his Friday press conference, "It's important to have all the squad available.

"We are close to having all the players fit so this is important, we can rotate a little bit to keep the squad more fresh.

"Allan was out for two months, to have him back is really important for us, above all in this period."

One player missing for the short hop across Stanley Park is Yerry Mina. The Colombian defender was substituted in their mid-week defeat to Manchester City.

Ancelotti revealed, "He had a problem on his calf.

"He will be out for at least three or four weeks."

The Italian has played up the importance of Allan's return to his midfield after two months out, saying, "Allan can add more intensity, more concentration defensively.

"But I have to say that Tom Davies, who replaced him most of the time, he did really well in this situation.

"We're happy to have Allan back because I think the consistency of the team is going to improve."

Home(sick) James?

Meanwhile, Ancelotti has responded to claims star playmaker James Rodriguez is suffering from homesickness.

The Colombian has been a revelation since his free-transfer from Real Madrid, transforming Everton's attacking nous. Five goals and three assists have cemented his importance to the Toffees.

However, a rumour began circulating in recent weeks that Rodriguez was pining for sunnier climes.

"Oh he's ok, he has no problem," Ancelotti responded

"I talk to him every day, he's happy here. He's confident, motivated.

"He had a knock [v Man City] and he was not fit 100 per cent," he added.

"No he's not 100%, but he's 99%."

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Allan Carlo Ancelotti Dominic Calvert Lewin Everton James Rodriguez Liverpool Merseyside Derby

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