Frank Lampard shares early Everton team news v Brentford: Update on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
By Jonty Banks
Everton manager Frank Lampard has announced Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to return to training next week and revealed that Tom Davies is in contention for the Toffees’ trip to Brentford this weekend.
Calvert-Lewin is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery from a freak knee injury which was sustained in pre-season training and could be available for the Blues’ trip to Arsenal on 11 September.
This will come as an almighty relief to Lampard, whose side have consistently struggled in front of goal so far this season and are in the market for several attacking recruitments to bolster their squad.
Davies, who sustained a groin issue before Everton’s midweek trip to Fleetwood has recovered and Lampard said he is hopeful the 24-year-old could feature on Saturday.
Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Lampard said: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin will train next week. I think he is slightly ahead of schedule.
“We must be calm because we can’t push him at this stage.
“If he trains in the middle of next week, will it make him available for the Liverpool game? That will be tough. But hopefully we can start looking at the games after that, if all goes according to plan.”
On the injury of Tom Davies, Lampard said: “Tom Davies we hope is in contention.
“He had a small feeling in his groin in the warm-up before Fleetwood – he pulled out of that game but hopefully he’s in the squad for Saturday.”
Timely boost
In Calvert-Lewin’s absence, the Toffees have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, playing Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon as inverted wingers and Salomon Rondon down the middle.
But with Chelsea reportedly prepared to pay up to £60 million for Gordon [Sky Sports], their already thin attacking options could take another untimely hit.
The return of Calvert Lewin will therefore be of great relief to fans, and the forward will want to prove his fitness to England manager Gareth Southgate with the World Cup drawing ever closer.
With numerous English strikers including Callum Wilson, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins all finding the back of the net so far this season, Calvert-Lewin will be fully motivated to prove his worth before Southgate picks his 26-man squad.
It won’t be easy for Calvert-Lewin to break into Southgate’s plans based on that, plus the fact he’s been injured a lot in 2022 and hasn’t been in the best of form.
But he needs to at least have the chance by being fit.