Frank Lampard insists Vitalii Mykolenko will receive Everton’s full support amid the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine.
The left-back posted an emotional message on Instagram after his homeland found itself under siege from Russian forces in the early hours of Thursday.
Mykolenko spent a decade in its capital city as a Dynamo Kiev youth prospect and later first-team player prior to his switch to Goodison Park last month.
Blues’ supporters are set to unveil a banner in a show of solidarity with the 22-year-old and his compatriots before Saturday’s clash with Manchester City.
Lampard is yet to decide on whether to include Mykolenko in the game, which could feature his international teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko for the visitors.
But the Everton manager affirmed support for their January signing during an unprecedented time of national crisis for all connected with the Ukraine.
“I’ve spoken to him, the club have spoken to him,” said Lampard.
“He has every bit of support we could possibly give him from our end in terms of personal touch, club support, if and when he needs it.
“Who knows how we can help him and how much we can help him but he knows that support mechanism is there.
“He’s only been here for a short period as well so it’s ultra-important that he feels that from us, and he does.
“The decision of whether to play or be available is between me and him to speak about.”