Everton manager Ancelotti: Pickford will face Southampton | OneFootball

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti says he has not considered leaving goalkeeper Jordan Pickford out of Sunday's Premier League match at Southampton.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk was left needing surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament injury after a tackle by Pickford, which went unpunished, during last Saturday's Merseyside derby.

Police have been investigating social media "threats" made towards Pickford.

"He is going to play on Sunday," said Ancelotti.

"I don't take into consideration to take him out. He trained well and is focused on the game."

At a news conference on Friday, the Italian added that was unsure if Pickford, 26, had apologised directly to 29-year-old Netherlands centre-back Van Dijk.

"I know that he was in contact with [Liverpool captain Jordan] Henderson. He tried to be in contact with him but I don't know if he was able to be," said Ancelotti.