Everton manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that Romelu Lukaku will play in tonight's FA Cup third-round replay against West Ham United to help him deal with the death of his boyhood friend Junior Malanda.
The 20-year-old Wolfsburg defender was killed in a high-speed car crash in Germany on Saturday.
"Obviously it was an incredible shock for Rom and for everyone," The Mirror quotes Martinez as saying. "We all knew that Rom had that relationship with Junior because it was a talking point when we played Wolfsburg in the Europa League, the two of them facing each other.
"It is so sad it is difficult to comprehend. Rom is really down about it. He is in constant contact with his family, but he has been very strong over it.
"Playing football probably allows you to get rid of that feeling and that's exactly what he needs. He trained well on Sunday and we are all helping and supporting him."
Lukaku earned Everton an FA Cup replay by snatching a late equaliser against the Hammers at Goodison Park last Tuesday.
Danielle Joynson
