Everton fans to unveil ‘We stand with Ukraine’ banner in show of support for Vitaliy Mykolenko

Everton fans plan to unveil a banner in support of Ukraine international defender Vitaliy Mykolenko at Saturday’s home game against Manchester City.

Supporters groups joined forces to organise the banner following the invasion by Russia with Vladimir Putin’s forces bearing down on the capital Kyiv.

Evertonians plan to unveil the banner before the 5.30pm kick-off at Goodison Park.

It will feature a picture of the 22-year-old in his national team’s kit with the words ‘We Stand With Ukraine’.

On Twitter, the account for the 27 Years Campaign (@27yearsCampaign) wrote: ‘#WeStandWithUkraine

‘Big thank you to @DaffoEFC and all involved for designing this banner which will be displayed in Goodison Park against Manchester City.’ 

Everton manager Frank Lampard said Mykolenko is being given all the support he needs.

The defender wrote in a post on Instagram on Thursday about hearing ‘the anxious voice of my parents who are looking for an opportunity to protect themselves’ in their homeland after the Russian invasion.

‘He is OK. I’ve spoken to him, the club have spoken to him,’ said Lampard.

Boss Frank Lampard will monitor the Ukrainian left-back before deciding on his team

Everton are set to silence their pre-match air raid siren when they face Manchester City

‘He has every bit of support we can 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? It is ultra-important he feels that from us.

‘The decision whether he plays or is available is for me and him to speak about.’

The game will be televised on Saturday teatime and may see Mykolenko up against his compatriot, Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko

Premier League players, managers and fans can protest against the Russian invasion

Russia launching an all-out attack to invade Zinchenko’s home country Ukraine on Thursday

Fans and players across the Premier League and EFL are expected to show support for Ukrainians in their desperate struggle against Russia at matches this weekend.

Premier League players, managers and supporters at all matches have the green light to protest against the Russian invasion by displaying Ukraine flags at their games this weekend in a show of solidarity for the besieged nation.

The FA will not consider the presence of flags on the pitch or in the stands as a breach of their rules. The governing body usually prohibit anything construed as a political message.

Premier League stars, like Oleksandr Zinchenko, have shown their support for Ukraine

Firefighters inspect the damage at a building following a rocket attack on the capital, Kyiv,