Daniel Feliciano

Thu 20 April 2023 13:57, UK

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in line to return for Everton when they face Crystal Palace this weekend after his midweek run-out, Sean Dyche has confirmed.

Calvert-Lewin played for 70 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly and came through unscathed so should be in the squad, although no decision has been made on whether or not he will start yet.

And with his last two goals for the club coming against Crystal Palace, Dyche admitted that he hasn’t spoken to the player about that but knows he is raring to get back on the pitch.

“He’ll certainly be in the thinking there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“The game the other day was all about him really. Got some other minutes into some other players but it was basically for the end of a rehab period, so we’re very please he came through that and he felt good.”

As for Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman, the news on their fitness was mixed.

“Ama’s made a bit more of a recovery. He was out there today so we’ll see how he reacts tomorrow,” Dyche said. “Seamus won’t be right for this one.”

Goals needed

Everton absolutely need to find a way to get more goals in this team, and the return to fitness of Calvert-Lewin is a huge boost to doing just that.

Whether he will start the game or not remains to be seen, but the fact he’s available is exactly what Dyche will have been waiting for since he lost him an hour into his first game against Arsenal.

Coleman still being out isn’t ideal as the team’s form has struggled since he’s been out, but hopefully with Patterson being available and having got minutes in his legs during the midweek behind-closed-doors friendly he could come into the side.

It’s also the final game of Doucoure’s suspension but Dyche must decide on his midfield, although thankfully Onana should return to bolster the options.

Overall the news has been positive, and ahead of a what is a must-win game on the road against an in-form side, we need all the positive news we can get.