Wayne Rooney lined up for sensational Everton return as BOSS if Goodison chiefs axe under-fire Rafa Benitez

WAYNE ROONEY could make a sensational return to Everton if Rafa Benitez is forced out.

Everton majority owner Farhad Moshiri is desperate for the Spaniard to succeed after becoming his fifth managerial appointment at Goodison Park.

But Moshiri and his board know they must have a contingency plan in place if they dump ex-Liverpool chief Benitez.

And Rooney, who is desperately trying to keep crisis club Derby in the Championship, is on their radar.

SunSport understands unofficial communication lines have been established between him and the club where he began his playing career.

Rooney, 36, has repeatedly insisted that he will stick by the Rams despite their current predicament.

The debt-ridden Midlands side are 15 points from safety at the bottom of the table having been deducted 21 points by the EFL.

They have been in administration for 11 weeks.

American business tycoon Chris Kirchner wants to complete a takeover but is waiting to hear whether HMRC will slash an outstanding £30million tax bill.

Rooney has won admirers for his loyalty after succeeding Phillip Cocu 13 months ago.

He has got a badly depleted squad playing decent football and picking up results.

Yet Rooney would find it very difficult to turn down the chance of returning to Goodison for a second time.

He went back for one season in 2017 having left for United in a record £27m move when he was just 18.

Benitez is under pressure again after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace and on Thursday takes the 14th-placed Toffees to another of his former clubs, Chelsea.

And Benitez’s hopes of turning around his fortunes has been severely hit following a triple injury blow to Richarlison, Andros Townsend and captain Seamus Coleman in the Palace loss.

A scan has revealed Brazil striker Richarlison, 24, has torn his calf and will be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Townsend sustained a fracture in his foot and will be reviewed by specialists later this week while Coleman, who has bone bruising and soft tissue damage, will also be assessed over the new few days.

⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals