Everton v Liverpool preview

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Everton manager David Moyes is hopeful midfielder Marouane Fellaini and full-back Tony Hibbert will be fit for Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Fellaini missed last weekend’s draw with QPR because of a knee injury while Hibbert has not played for more than a month after sustaining a calf problem.

Midfielder Darron Gibson (thigh) is still sidelined and playmaker Steven Pienaar serves a one-match ban after his controversial sending-off at Loftus Road.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will continue to monitor the condition of goalkeeper Jose Reina.

Reina has been nursing a hamstring problem picked up on international duty with Spain and missed the win over Reading last Saturday and yesterday’s Europa League victory against Anzhi Makhachkala, but has been back in training at the Reds’ Melwood complex.

Rodgers has no fresh injury concerns, with Martin Kelly (knee), Lucas Leiva (thigh) and Fabio Borini (foot) remaining sidelined.

Everton (from): Howard, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Hibbert, Neville, Osman, Fellaini, Jelavic, Mucha, Gueye, Heitinga, Anichebe, Mirallas, Naismith, Oviedo, Coleman, Vellios, Hitzlsperger.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Jones, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Coates, Carragher, Skrtel, Wisdom, Robinson, Sahin, Gerrard, Cole, Henderson, Downing, Allen, Sterling, Shelvey, Suarez, Assaidi, Suso, Yesil.

Everton v Liverpool preview

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Everton manager David Moyes believes Tim Cahill should be fit for the 216th Merseyside derby.

Cahill sustained severe bruising to his shin after seemingly being stamped on by Vincent Kompany during the 2-0 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.

After simply doing light jogging yesterday, according to Moyes, Cahill has trained more seriously today, with the Scot hopeful he will be okay pending a late check .

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard may have to settle for a place on the bench.

The England midfielder has played just 25 minutes after a six-month lay-off from a groin operation.

Defenders Glen Johnson (hamstring) and Daniel Agger (rib) will not feature – although the latter has returned to training – while forward Dirk Kuyt is pushing for a recall at the expense of Jordan Henderson.

Everton (from): Howard, Heitinga, Hibbert, Neville, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Barkley, Fellaini, Osman, Rodwell, Drenthe, Cahill, Stracqualursi, Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Vellios, Gueye, Saha, Coleman.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Kuyt, Downing, Suarez, Carroll, Doni, Flanagan, Coates, Spearing, Gerrard, Henderson, Bellamy, Rodriguez.

Everton v Liverpool preview

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Everton are without midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who suffered a hamstring injury playing for Belgium in midweek and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines.

Defender Phil Jagielka is also unlikely to feature in the crunch Premier League clash after straining a hamstring in training with England.

Playmaker Steven Pienaar is still out with a groin injury and striker Louis Saha (calf) is rated as unlikely to return by manager David Moyes.

Jack Rodwell (ankle) is a long-term absentee while youngster Ross Barkley, on the bench for the last four games, suffered a broken leg this week.

Striker Fernando Torres is fit to face Everton in the 214th Merseyside derby.

The Spain striker sustained an adductor injury in the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool almost a fortnight ago but has been declared fit by manager Roy Hodgson.

Defender Paul Konchesky has recovered from a hamstring strain while fellow left-back Fabio Aurelio has overcome an Achilles problem which has kept him out since late August.

Centre-half Daniel Agger is a doubt with a back injury sustained playing for Denmark this week and Holland forward Dirk Kuyt has been ruled out for at least three weeks after injuring his ankle on international duty.

Everton (from): Howard, Neville, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Hibbert, Cahill, Osman, Arteta, Beckford, Bilyaletdinov, Gueye, Coleman, Yakubu, Mustafi, Silva, Baxter, Wallace, Mucha.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Poulsen, Gerrard, Meireles, Cole, Torres, Ngog, Jones, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Spearing, Jovanovic, Rodriguez, Babel.