Sean Dyche provides Dominic Calvert-Lewin fitness update ahead of Everton v Aston Villa
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in contention to feature for Everton against Aston Villa on Sunday (20 August), manager Sean Dyche has confirmed.
Striker Calvert-Lewin has had well-documented fitness issues over the past couple of seasons and was absent as the Toffees starting their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham last Saturday (12 August).
However, the 26-year-old played 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United in midweek and is in Dyche’s thinking ahead of a trip to Villa Park.
“Dom is in good shape,” Dyche told a pre-match press conference, in quotes reported by the Liverpool Echo.
“Managed to get the end part of his rehab done this week with 90 minutes, he certainly comes straight back into the thinking.”
A great boost
Calvert-Lewin has been available on only 36 occasions over the past two campaigns and his lack of availability was a huge reason behind Everton’s woes in the final third last season.
The Toffees have been attempting to improve their forward options during the transfer window, with Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti arriving, and a bid apparently lodged for Southampton striker Che Adams.
But having Calvert-Lewin available long term would be a huge boost for Dyche and the club’s supporters. At his peak, Calvert-Lewin was an England international and he really needs a run of games to get back to that level.
If Calvert-Lewin can stay fit he will be a huge asset to Dyche and Everton this term. That is, of course, a huge if but if he can be on the pitch more regularly then Everton have a great chance of avoiding a relegation battle this term. Fingers crossed this is the start of a long run in the team.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are not giving up hope of signing Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto.