Wayne Rooney is open to Everton return after he and former England team-mate Frank Lampard emerge as potential candidates to replace Rafa Benitez

• e-mail

Wayne Rooney is open to a shock return to Everton after he and former England team-mate Frank Lampard emerged as contenders to replace Rafa Benitez.

Having failed in their attempts to lure ex-boss Roberto Martinez, the club have started looking at alternatives after Tuesday confirming Duncan Ferguson as caretaker manager for their ‘upcoming games’.

Chairman Bill Kenwright made a visit to the training ground to address the new coaches. He told Ferguson, Leighton Baines, John Ebbrell and goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly of the importance of changing the atmosphere around the club, to reverse the negative momentum that has built up in recent months.

Wayne Rooney is open to a shock return to Everton after he and former England team-mate Frank Lampard emerged as contenders to replace Rafa Benitez 

The Toffees are looking for a new manager after Benitez's (above) sacking this month

Everton academy graduate Rooney has done an excellent job in charge of Derby and his Rams players fear a return to Goodison Park is likely to prove a tempting proposition.

Lampard, who is also in the frame, has been out of work since January 2021 after losing his job at Chelsea.

Rooney, 36, has long stressed his loyalty to Derby, though their dire financial situation is deteriorating.

Everton academy graduate Rooney has done an excellent job in charge of Derby

Lampard (above) has been out of the game since his sacking at Chelsea this time last year

They have until February 1 to demonstrate they have the funds to complete the season and they have already seen key players Phil Jagielka and Graeme Shinnie depart.

Sportsmail understands the club’s administrators Quantuma are not taking calls from teams expressing interest in their best young players, despite telling the squad on Friday they would be open to offers to raise funds. 

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have released a statement on an outstanding legal claim against Derby, which is said to be putting off potential buyers. Boro say the Rams ‘cheated’ EFL financial fair play rules and that contributed to them missing out on the play-offs in 2019. 

Everton are set to install Duncan Ferguson (left) as caretaker until a replacement is found