Carlo Ancelotti has outlined the importance of Everton midfielder Andre Gomes - and has also provided a trio of injury updates ahead of this weekend's meeting with West Ham.

Gomes, who is from the injury he suffered against Tottenham in November, is now free from pain according to the Blues boss.

The Italian coach told evertontv: "It is really important for us to have him back.

"It takes time to recover completely but the fact he feels good in this moment and has no pain, he’s started to work individually, is important for us.

"As soon as possible we need this kind of player, with his kind of characteristics. Everyone knows how important he is for the team."

Ancelotti also offered updates on the progress of Yerry Mina, Alex Iwobi and Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

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He explained: "We have a little problem with Yerry Mina this week, he was not able to train.

"We have to see in the next few days if he will be available against West Ham.

"Alex Iwobi will not be ready for the match. I think next week he will be able to train with us."

(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

After signing from Mainz 05 last summer, Gbamin featured just twice for the club before sustaining an quadriceps injury during a training session in August.

The Blues manager has said the 24-year-old midfielder is "improving fast".

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Ancelotti added: "He is doing individual sessions, he is starting to train. We have to take care of him because the injury was not so easy to recover.

"We have to be patient with him. He is doing individual sessions and this is important.

"I hope that soon he can train with the team. We are looking day by day, how he is improving.

"He is improving fast, but the problem was a big problem, so we have to be careful with him."