Everton are back in front of their home supporters this weekend with a Premier League clash against Manchester United on Sunday.
The Toffees come into the game at Goodison Park off the back of a 2-1 victory over Southampton last weekend. With Frank Lampard’s side hoping to pick up a third consecutive league win, it seems as though they have been handed a very welcome injury boost.
What’s the news?
Speaking in his latest press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against the Red Devils, Lampard revealed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in contention to be involved in the squad. The striker has been out of action since August with an injury he picked up before Everton’s opening league game of the season against Chelsea.
When asked if the 25-year-old could feature against United, the the Toffees manager stated: “Yes, he’s in contention. We’ll have to see how match-fit he is but in terms of the injury, he’s better.
“It’s a really good boost. Do I have to say that? He’s a really good player for us, he was pivotal in us staying in the league last year and at the moment we want to get him fit and playing regularly.”
A welcome return
Despite struggling with injury issues last season, the England striker showed when he was on the pitch just how important an attacking figure he is for Everton.
Across 17 league appearances in 2021/22, Calvert-Lewin found the net on five occasions and delivered two assists. In addition, the 25-year-old ended the campaign with the joint-highest rate of shots on target per 90 minutes (0.77) of any player at the club.
This makes it safe to say that Lampard should be thrilled to have the player back in contention for Sunday night.
With all that in mind and the fact that United have conceded double the number of goals (14) that the Toffees (seven) have at this point in the league campaign, this is a match where Calvert-Lewin should be desperate to make his first appearance of the season.
Depending on his fitness by the time kick-off comes around, if the centre-forward is fit enough to be in the squad but maybe not fit enough to start, Lampard should definitely plan to at least give the 25-year-old his first minutes of the campaign and hope that he can then keep up his fitness for as long as possible.
