Everton manager Sean Dyche has explained that he arranged a training match for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the view of completing his rehabilitation ahead of Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
The striker, who hasn’t featured in the first team since he was withdrawn with a hamstring injury an hour into Everton’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s opening fixture as Blues boss back on February 1, played 70 minutes against non-League Chester on Tuesday and then posted “bring on Saturday” on social media.
Dyche said: “He’ll certainly be in the thinking without a doubt. The game the other day was all about him really. We got some other minutes into players but it was basically for the end of a rehab period so we’re very pleased that he came through that and felt good.”
READ MORE: 'Tottenham not-so-hotspur!' - Everton fans celebrated so hard they 'literally shook' Goodison Park
READ MORE: 'Tough times' - Sean Dyche details Everton challenge for James Garner and Nathan Patterson
Calvert-Lewin’s last two goals have both been against Crystal Palace – in the 3-0 home win back in October and the winner in the 3-2 comeback victory that secured Everton’s top flight status last term. Asked whether that had any influence, Dyche said: “I think that maybe within his thinking, players can sometimes be like that when they have feelings of certain games, certain grounds and all that sort of stuff. I certainly haven’t spoken to him on anything about that, my main concern has just been safeguarding his return, his proper return as I call it, when he’s as fit as we can get him other than playing and I think he’s done that.
“The idea of the game the other day, he’s proved statistically through his training and sports science where he’s at physically but a game is slightly different, you have to react to whatever happens in the game. It was my decision to take him off because there was no fatigue or anything, I just thought it was common sense him coming through 70 odd minutes and I’m pleased with that.”
Dyche also offered fitness updates on Amadou Onana and Seamus Coleman who both missed last Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Fulham through injury. He said: “Ama has made a bit more of a recovery, he was out there today but we’ll see how that reacts tomorrow and Seamus won’t be right for this one.”
READ NEXT
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin fitness, new stadium financing and your Everton questions answered
Everton new stadium hits major milestone as project remains 'firmly on track'
Dominic Calvert-Lewin drops major hint over Everton injury return date
Everton midfielder maps out future plan after signing new contract
Sean Dyche and Everton must overcome issue he admits he can't brush away if they're to stay up
