Everton boss Sean Dyche will give Dominic Calvert-Lewin maximum time to prove his fitness for tomorrow’s crunch Merseyside derby against Liverpool.
A win for the Toffees would go a long way to securing their Premier League survival while maintaining their title challenge is the priority for the red half of the city.
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Calvert-Lewin was substituted during Sunday’s controversial 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest due to injury and will be monitored in the build-up to kick-off at Goodison Park.
Dyche said: “We’re hopeful that he will be back for tomorrow but we’ll wait and see. I’m hopeful on that one.”
Fellow striker Beto is definitely out after being carried off on a stretcher at the weekend following a nasty clash of heads with Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.
Dyche added: “He definitely won’t feature in these next couple of games. But he will be back after that. For the protocols and rightfully so.
“Good news so far. He’s had all the checks needed and he’s fine. He obviously took a real knock.
“I thought the staff were terrific, all staff involved were terrific in getting on the pitch quickly and dealing with things effectively on his behalf.”
An update on Beto and Calvert-Lewin ahead of #EVELIV. 🔵 PIC.TWITTER.COM/5QGJVXJ1AZ
— Everton (@Everton) APRIL 23, 2024
Everton will definitely be without captain Seamus Coleman as they look to improve on a dismal record against Liverpool.
They have won just one of their last 26 Premier League games against their neighbours from across Stanley Park.
“I’m well aware of the records that people have been telling me,” Dyche said. “I’m looking forward to the game.
“I didn’t grow up here so I don’t have the depth of understanding [of the rivalry] but what I do understand is how important it is to be Everton’s manager in all games, but particularly this one for the obvious reasons.”
Dyche ditched his customary shirt and tie for a more causal tracksuit against Forest with fans joking it brought his side luck.
The former Burnley boss was not saying whether he’d stick with his new look against Liverpool.
“I didn’t realise how much noise was going to come from that,” he smiled. “It wasn’t a major decision in my life, I’ve got lots of decisions to make here that are far more important than that.
“[I’ve had] a bit of banter from the players, ex-players and my daughter. I’m not too worried about that. I’ll decide what I wear tomorrow.”
