Everton manager Sean Dyche has been coy over a possible return to first-team action for Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Fulham as Seamus Coleman misses out.
The forward has been following a specific programme in order to nurse him back to full fitness after coming off after an hour in the former Burnley boss' first game in charge against Arsenal.
Calvert-Lewin has spent a number of spells out on the sidelines leaving Neal Maupay and Ellis Simms as the only strike-options off the bench. Another casualty is the Everton captain after limping off during last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
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"He's got a niggly hamstring which will need a bit of time to settle down I think. He's been in fine form so that's another awkward one for us, it shouldn't be too long but he won't be fit for the weekend," said Dyche on Coleman.
The absence of the Blues stalwart could pave a way back into first-team action for Nathan Patterson. He too has endured a spell on the treatment table following a knee ligaments injury against Brighton, the 51-year-old admitted there have been discussions over a return to domestic action.
He added: "It's as much game time with Pat [Nathan Patterson] really, coming back from injury and spending a bit of time out so it's about game time. With the way things have worked with the internationals, even getting reserve games it's been awkward. He's certainly in the thinking.
"The truth is he's training and going along well," Dyche continued on Calvert-Lewin's fitness. "Having good players available is always the start point and it helps if you have strikers available who are proven and he is a proven striker."
Abdoulaye Doucoure will be serving his second of a three-match ban when the Cottagers visit Goodison Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off) after his red card against Tottenham Hotspur.
James Garner and Tom Davies were second-half substitutes against Manchester United, on the prospect of the pair featuring, the Everton manager said: "They're going well, Jimmy [James Garner] is returning well from an injury but he's been with us training well and Tom's been here a long time so he understands the role well.
"We want flexibility within the squad and it's needed, especially if you get an injury, we'll certainly have it in our thinking with Douc [Abdoulaye Doucoure] coming out the side - who has done ever so well - trying to change the best way that we can be effective. "
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