Everton is set to visit Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace in their quest to secure their place in the Premier League this weekend. Although the Toffees showed great promise when Sean Dyche joined as the new manager, they haven’t been able to secure a win in the last four games. The team is currently at the 17th position in the league table and has seven games remaining to save their season before it’s too late.
While Palace has experienced a rocky season, the team has been unbeaten since they secured their first win of 2023 under the revitalized management of Roy Hodgson.
Who is suspended for Everton this weekend?
Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton’s midfielder, is currently serving a ban and remains unavailable for selection after an altercation with Harry Kane resulted in a red card earlier this month during their match with Tottenham Hotspur. Doucoure will become eligible for selection when Everton hosts Newcastle United at Goodison Park on 27th April.
What is the latest Everton injury news?
Andros Townsend is still out of action due to his ongoing recovery from an ACL injury. However, Seamus Coleman, the club captain, will also not be available for selection due to a hamstring injury. Ruben Vinagre is out for the foreseeable future, having sustained an Achilles injury while in training ahead of the Spurs clash, and surgery might be required. Dyche also expressed concerns about Amadou Onana’s availability after he missed the Fulham game last weekend due to a groin strain. However, the midfielder was back at training, and his recovery is being monitored.
What is the latest Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury update?
While the Toffees are dealing with several concerns ahead of the weekend, there is one major development from the recovery room – Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s potential return to the team. The Everton striker underwent a 65-minute performance in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Chester this week at Finch Farm, designed to improve his fitness following a lengthy period on the sidelines this season.
Dyche gave some encouraging words about Calvert-Lewin’s availability for the forthcoming clash against Palace during a press conference, describing him as being “certainly in my thinking, without a doubt.” The striker also expressed his eagerness to get back to the pitch this weekend, uploading a tri-word message accompanied by a training picture on Twitter: “Bring on Saturday! #UTFT.”
Who could play instead of Calvert-Lewin against Crystal Palace?
Although it is very likely for Calvert-Lewin to return to football this weekend, it’s unclear if the relegation-threatened team’s talisman will be a starter. Dyche had previously hinted at the need to cautiously ease Calvert-Lewin back into the game. The forward could instead serve as a great option from the bench to ensure he doesn’t get overworked or pick up additional injuries during Everton’s final efforts to avoid relegation.
Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil are among the options available, with the former being much more productive since he was moved into a central forward role. McNeil, on the other hand, has two goals and one assist in the last three months and contributed to the 1-0 victory over Brentford recently. Although Dyche has frequently used Ellis Simms in previous matches, it is unlikely that the young attacking player will be pressured to start against Palace, and Dyche will instead rely on his most experienced attackers.
