George Overhill

Sat 10 September 2022 18:17, UK

Amid the uncertainty over further match postponements in the Premier League Everton may see a trio of key players return without missing another match.

Star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a long-term absentee at no small disruption to Frank Lampard’s plans, is back in training and is pencilled in to be fit for next weekend according to Premier Injuries.

Midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré, injured in the loss to Aston Villa back on 13 August is also slated for return on the same date, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who starred in the Merseyside derby (3 September) is expected to be back at the start of October.

Following the death of the Queen this week (8 September), the controversial decision was made to postpone all football throughout the country, including grassroots children’s games, despite other sports continuing.

With the funeral now announced for Monday 19th there are fears that further matches will be called off next weekend [Guardian], although there is the possibility that some will go ahead even if others can’t.

Toffees minority shareholder Mike Parry has suggested on his personal Twitter account that the meeting with West Ham the day before won’t happen, responding to a question about playing with: “I don’t believe we will ..”

The following week is already set to be the international break, with England due to play UEFA Nations League games against Italy and Germany.

Recovery time

The decision to postpone games in the wake of a major unexpected event hasn’t gone down especially well across the world of football.

With so much else continuing as normal in the country, including other sports, it seems likely to store up more problems down the line in a season already congested with a unique midseason World Cup.

But clubs can only adapt to the situation as it reaches them and in the case of Everton there it could provide time out of the schedule for the important three to return.

Pickford demonstrated his importance to Lampard’s plans with a huge display in the Merseyside derby, and it was a significant blow to learn that he was set to be out following the game.

Similarly, Calvert-Lewin’s absence has been a key factor in both the beginning of the season and the end of the transfer window, with Richarlison now at Tottenham and just Salomon Rondon as back up before Neal Maupay was eventually brought in.

The team has struggled for goals without the fluency of a recognised striker, with Anthony Gordon affected by having to fill in as a false-nine, and Dwight McNeil’s slow start also linked to the lack of a front man.

Doucouré’s absence has likely proved to be more of an issue for him than the team as the arrivals of Amadou Onana, Idrissa Gueye and James Garner in the mean time have made the unit a particular strength for Lampard.

However, having all three back without further games missed would be a boost for an Everton side still in search of their first win since a team with involvement from such a key trio is undoubtedly a stronger one.