Returning Everton star ‘very helpful for the team’ claims Benitez

Everton manager Rafa Benitez has picked out the returning Fabian Delph as being particularly important for his side as they aim to end a tough run of results.

Everton are without a win in their last four Premier League fixtures, losing their last three. Benitez’ side host Tottenham on Sunday in what will be Antonio Conte’s first league fixture in charge of Spurs.

Benitez has been without a number of first-teamers in recent weeks with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure both missing significant time.

Championship Big Weekend: Barnsley v Hull, Swansea, Paunovic, Deeney

However, Delph returned for the second half of Monday’s defeat to Wolves and his manager is hoping to use his experience of winning  trophies to help the struggling side.

“I think that it’s really important for any squad to have experience, and experience of winning trophies – that is quite difficult.

“These kind of players can help the players around, they can be a good example for the young players.

“In this case I think we are talking about someone who wants to play, wants to do well. After injuries, coming back with this desire, idea and commitment I think is very helpful for the team.”

The Spaniard also was keen to reiterate that it will take time for Everton to keep improving.

“The reaction that we had against Wolves in the second half, something like that I would like to see every game. But I have to say again, we know where we are because we know where we were.

“The team has certain characteristics and we have to try and improve things, but Rome was not built in one day.

“They know. After the games we watch clips, analyse what we were doing and then we start working on that.

“We understand that we make mistakes. Set pieces, for example, we are making mistakes. We know that we have to improve all of these things.

“You have to make sure the players take responsibility too, and this group are doing that. You have to consider if they have the commitment, and I think they have – or if they’re keen to learn, and I think they are.

“It’s little-by-little, we will put all the ideas together. Missing some important players is not helping, so hopefully if everybody will be available we will be stronger.”