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Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin an injury doubt with ‘niggly hamstring’
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is ‘touch and go at best’ to be fit for Everton to play against Liverpool after picking up a hamstring injury.
The Lowdown: Injury-prone
Calvert-Lewin has unfortunately proven himself to be injury-prone at Goodison Park, having missed 42 games since the 2016/17 season, including being ruled out for eight matches with a knee injury in this campaign.
The Merseyside club decided to sign striker Neal Maupay from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer as cover for the Englishman, but he has been far from prolific, scoring just once in his Toffees career so far.
The Latest: Hamstring injury
Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of their match away at bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night, Sean Dyche has confirmed that Calvert-Lewin is ‘touch and go at best’ to make the squad, as he is dealing with a ‘niggly hamstring’:
“We’re still monitoring him. He’ll be touch and go at best for Liverpool… He put a real shift in in the last game but unfortunately he’s got a niggly hamstring.”
The Verdict: Start Simms?
With Calvert-Lewin an injury doubt, and Maupay woefully out of form, Dyche should be tempted to start Ellis Simms, who they recalled from his loan spell at Sunderland in the January transfer window.
Despite his season being disrupted by a toe injury, Simms still managed to score a respectful seven goals and make a further two assists during his spell at the Stadium of Light, with six goal contributions coming in his last eight games in the Championship (Transfermarkt).
Coming through Everton’s Academy, the Englishman knows how much the Merseyside derby means to the club and the supporters, and if given a chance to impress from the start by Dyche, he would no doubt be motivated to find the back of the net at Anfield.
