Dominic Calvert-Lewin to work on ‘rigorous’ individual training in bid for Everton fitness
Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin will work on a “rigorous” individual training programme during the international break, reports Times journalist Paul Joyce.
The striker has been short of fitness since his return from a significant injury lay-off and has failed to find the net since scoring in each of the opening three games of the season.
With the Toffees set of a punishing fixture schedule as they fight to avoid relegation, the England international’s goals could be key to survival.
Joyce reports in The Times: “The striker’s lack of football means he has not been called up by England and will instead spend much of the international break at Finch Farm, the training camp, working on his conditioning.”
Manager Frank Lampard said ahead of the international period, via The Times: “We’ve got blocks of days where some players can work hard. I think it’s a good ten-day period to get some fitness in the bank for the run-in. Some players need it, having not played so much having come off the back of a couple of injuries.
“We’ll construct the plans slightly individually for some, but collectively there will be good work.”
Badly needed
The lack of output from the Toffees’ main man up front has been a major disappointment in recent weeks.
During his absence, the return of the man who scored 29 Premier League goals over the previous two seasons was seen as the key to survival.
But he has looked a shadow of his normal self and has gone goalless since he got back into the team.
He did lay on a beautiful assist for Alex Iwobi’s winner against Newcastle, to provide a timely reminder of his capabilities.
But missing out on Gareth Southgate’s squad should be the ideal opportunity to get back up to speed.
Lampard looks set to use it to the full in the hopes of unleashing his primary goalscorer.
If Calvert-Lewin can get back to anything close to the player he has been over recent seasons, Premier League survival hopes will rise considerably.
In other Everton news, Richarlison is reportedly ready to quit Goodison Park.
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