Everton fitness boost as Dominic Calvert-Lewin plays in Manchester United friendly
Dominic Calvert-Lewin completed a full match for Everton as he featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United on Tuesday 15 August, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The news publication reported online (15 August) that both sides fielded strong teams, with the Toffees including the likes of Arnaut Danjuma and Vitalii Mykolenko as well as Calvert-Lewin, while United, who had played their Premier League opener against Wolves just one day earlier, included Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek.
A first-half own goal, followed by a McTominay strike, had the Red Devils two to the good by half-time, although the result will be of little interest to fans with the news that Calvert-Lewin got some minutes under his belt overshadowing the scoreline.
Everton’s striker was meant to play just 70-minutes but ended up leading the line for the full match which took place at the Carrington Complex, just three days after he was deemed not fit enough to feature for the club in their Premier League opener against Fulham at Goodison Park, which they lost by a goal to nil.
Promising
If anything could be taken away from the Toffees’ opening-day defeat, it is the fact that they are still in desperate need of some firepower going forward as they continued an unfortunate trend from last season of failing to score.
Calvert-Lewin has been riddled with injury issues in recent seasons and has hardly been able to play any part in the club’s previous two relegation battles, and perhaps his inclusion will prevent a third consecutive fight to stay in England’s top flight. Sean Dyche will certainly be keen to have him back as soon as possible.
Of course, it is important that his recovery is not rushed, in order to avoid any further injury issues, but the fact that he has played a full match suggests he cannot be too far away from a return to action.
His presence is key and fans will be as desperate as Dyche is to see him back on the pitch.
In other Everton news, the club of a reported target could be set to drop their asking price.