Everton evening headlines as Stones expected to face 'conundrum'

Here are the Everton evening headlines on Wednesday, May 27

Everton evening headlines as John Stones expected to face 'conundrum' amid Goodison return links

Here are the Everton evening headlines on Wednesday, May 27.

Blues tipped to re-sign Stones

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has tipped Manchester City defender John Stones to favour a move to Everton in the summer.

With Rafael Benitez linked with a move back to Newcastle United, The Telegraph report that the former Liverpool boss wants Stones as his marquee signing at St. James’ Park.

However, Whelan believes the England defender would prefer a move back to Goodison Park, where he spent three years before his record-breaking move to the Etihad.

“John needs a change. It has been a stop-start season for him but there is a good player there who is still of a good age. He has a lot to offer,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“We also know that Everton have been interested in bringing him back as well so they would have a fight on their hands. If he is willing to leave and is allowed he will have to make a choice.

“He could live in Manchester and travel to Liverpool but Newcastle may offer him more money than Everton. It would be a conundrum.”

Bundesliga trend Everton must avoid

The Bundesliga has recently returned behind closed doors and since its restart, 12 of the 22 matches that have been played have been won by away sides.

Meanwhile, just three teams have won at home since the German top-flight has got back underway and this is a trend Everton must avoid, as Adam Jones writes.

With no supporters in the stadium, which is set to be the case if the Premier League finally returns, the so-called “home advantage” may not be in place anymore.

Five out of Everton’s remaining nine matches come at home – with Liverpool, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Southampton and Bournemouth all to play for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

Blues to return to full contact training

Premier League teams will return to full contact training after a unanimous vote on Wednesday.

A videoconference between the major shareholders on Wednesday led to the decision to return to training, where tackling will once again be allowed.

Teams have recently returned to training following a two-month-long hiatus, but have been doing the sessions in small groups with no contact.

“Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to resume contact training, marking another step towards restarting the Premier League season, when safe to do so,” the Premier League said in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon.

"Squads are now able to train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising any unnecessary close contact.

"The Premier League’s priority is the health and wellbeing of all participants.

"Strict medical protocols are in place to ensure the training ground is the safest environment possible and players and staff will continue to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week."