Ancelotti confirms Rodriguez ruled out of Everton clash v West Ham
Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Everton will again be without James Rodriguez for the New Year’s Day clash with West Ham but gave a fitness boost with the news that Richarlison is set to return.
Rodriguez has missed the Toffees last five games and has not appeared since the 1-1 draw to Burnley on December 5.
Richarlison, meanwhile, was injured in the 2-0 League Cup defeat to Manchester United on December 23 after being involved in a collision with Eric Bailly and missed the Boxing Day win at Sheffield United.
In his pre-West Ham conference, as reported by Liverpool Echo, Ancelotti said, “One of them is okay. The other one unfortunate not, we have to wait a little. Richarlison is okay. James Rodriguez, no.”
On Rodriguez, Ancelotti expressed his hope that the Colombian would be fit again for their FA Cup fixture against Rotherham on January 9, so it appears he is only set to miss one more match.
Everton have coped admirably in his absence, winning all four league games, including wings against Chelsea and Leicester City.
Rest will do Calvert-Lewin wonders
Everton will go into Friday’s game against West Ham having had a much-needed six days rest, after their game against Manchester City on Tuesday was called off after a number of positive COVID cases from their opponents.
A punishing December schedule has seen them play six games in 21 days, with a number of players, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, playing 90 minutes in all of them.
He will be glad of a little rest, as he bids to end his five-game scoring drought.
He is, however, still behind only Mohamed Salah (13) in the race for the Premier League golden boot, vying with the likes of Heung-Min Son and Jamie Vardy, who match Calvert-Lewin’s 11 goals.
Against West Ham, Calvert-Lewin will be confident of getting back in the goals, especially with the news that Richarlison is set to return, a player who will help to share the attacking burden and set the England forward up.
In other Everton news, winger set for exit after Neil Warnock reaffirms his interest.