SHARE

Everton defender Yerry Mina will do a ‘mini pre-season’ during the World Cup in an attempt to get up to speed with Frank Lampard’s squad.

That’s according to the Colombian edition of AS, who say the centre-back is one of several players who could ‘benefit from the Qatar break’.

They cover the six Colombians who currently ‘need to get back to their best’, with clubs in Europe planning a mini season for those players who haven’t travelled to Qatar.

Various plans are being drawn up to achieve this, with games planned to keep players fit and given those who need minutes the time to catch up.

Mina is one such player, having recently returned from three months on the side-lines in Everton’s defeat to Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.

He played 90 minutes in that game, but it was clear he was not up to match sharpness and ‘lacked pace’ throughout the game.

He can only achieve this through more minutes and the plan is for him to do a ‘mini pre-season’ at Everton’s Finch Farm to ‘get himself in shape’ for the second half of the campaign.

He needs to get back on track ahead of January as it could also be a busy month for him in terms of a transfer.

The centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season and unlikely to sign a new contract at Everton, meaning he will be free to negotiate with clubs around Europe for a free transfer in the summer.

He could also secure a move away from Goodison Park in the winter window if there are suitors, but for that to happen he’ll have to prove his fitness, which has again been in the spotlight after his latest injury layoff.

The World Cup break, then, comes at a good time for him and as AS state, there is a plan in place for him and others to ‘regain their best form’ and return after the tournament.