According to the Guardian, Everton will need ‘special dispensation’ to bring back Lewis Gibson and re-register him after Yerry Mina tore his thigh muscle.
The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Fleetwood Town until June 30 and would return to Goodison Park, but the League One season could be ending early, meaning Gibson may be available sooner.
Everton are due to face Liverpool on June 21, so they have little over two weeks to bring in cover for Mina.
The 25-year-old will miss the resumption of the Premier League season and could miss the majority of Everton’s remaining nine games, so Carlo Ancelotti needs backup at centre-back.
Gibson broke into the first-team in the New Year and made the matchday squad in Everton’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United (January 18), but he’s yet to make his Toffees’ debut at senior level.
As things stand, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate will start at centre-back when Liverpool come to town. Ryan Astley, Con Ouzounidis and Joseph Andersen are still registered to the U23s, according to the official website, but it remains to be seen if either of them will get the nod.