Everton: Wolves could be missing up to five players for Premier League clash on Boxing Day
Everton and Frank Lampard will face a Wolves side who could be missing up to five players due to injury for their clash on Boxing Day, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The Toffees will look to return to Premier League action by claiming three points at Goodison Park and face a relegation-threatened Wolves side who currently occupy bottom spot in the table.
New Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui is set to take charge of his first Premier League game but will be without several significant players who remain sidelined with injuries.
The Birmingham Mail’s report stated the Spaniard “won’t be able to call on Pedro Neto, Chiquinho, or Sasa Kalajdzic” while also having doubts over Jonny Castro Otto and Boubacar Traore.
Lampard, meanwhile, has been given a huge injury boost of his own, admitting that star striker Dominic Calvert Lewin “might be available” to play against Wolves on Monday (26 December). [Liverpool Echo]
Big boost
For Lampard and Everton, any injuries to their opponents will come as welcome news.
The Boxing Day clash already feels like a ‘six-pointer’, as a Wolves win would leave them just a point behind the Toffees, but a win for Lampard would push them firmly away from the relegation zone.
Neto can be a huge danger in attack on his day, while the attacking impetus Castro provides from wing-back has troubled many a Premier League defence – so their exclusions are positive.
With Calvert-Lewin on the cusp of a return and following their behind-closed-doors win against Aston Villa on Wednesday (21 December), confidence must be high in the Goodison camp.
A date against Premier League champions Manchester City awaits Everton before the New Year so this encounter could prove a pivotal moment in the team’s season.
If they can claim three points on Boxing Day, they do face a run of favourable fixtures against Newcastle, West Ham, Aston Villa and Brentford in the New Year.