Kevin Campbell: Frank Lampard managed Dominic Calvert-Lewin right, Everton need him ‘big time’
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell is sweating on the fitness of Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin who he expects to be crucial during the run in.
The England striker missed a major chunk of the season through injury, and has subsequently not scored since the opening three game stretch of the calendar.
He provided a lovely assist for Alex Iwobi’s winner against Newcastle, but both then dropped to the bench for the defeat at Crystal Palace, although ex-Toffees striker Campbell was not surprised by the manager’s decision.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News Campbell said: “I think he’s got to try and keep him right. What you don’t want to do is try to push him too much and he breaks down again.
“There’s been a lot of false starts for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“They’re going to need him for the last nine games Everton have got. They’re going to need him big time for those games.
“I think he’s going to be a big player for Everton in the last nine games, so Frank Lampard is going to treat him with kid gloves a little bit.
“I think it’s the right thing to do. He has another couple of weeks at the moment, to get some training and work done, and then he should be raring to go after the international break.
“So fingers crossed it works out, because Everton need him.”
The 25-year-old unsurprisingly hasn’t made Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the current break considering his lack of form and fitness.
He is believed to be working on an intensive individual training regime in a bid to finally have him at full power when the domestic fixtures return.
Even half the output he provided over the past couple of seasons would go a long way towards fighting relegation right now, so the rewards could be major.
In other Everton news, the club is at risk of missing out on a their share of an “extraordinary” £10.4billion windfall.
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