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Everton striker Calvert-Lewin in race to be fit for Merseyside derby

Everton will be sweating over the fitness of top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the weekend's M...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

16.21 16 Feb 2021


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Everton striker Calvert-Lewin...

Everton striker Calvert-Lewin in race to be fit for Merseyside derby

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

16.21 16 Feb 2021


Share this article


Everton will be sweating over the fitness of top-scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the weekend's Merseyside derby. 

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the 13-goal striker will miss Wednesday night's visit of Premier League leaders Manchester City to Goodison Park.

Calvert-Lewin sustained a hamstring injury after scoring in the 5-4 FA Cup 5th round win at home to Tottenham last week.

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After the midweek clash with City, Everton make the short trip to Anfield on Saturday evening for a high-stakes game in the battle for Champions League football.

"Not available for sure [for City] are Dominic Calvert-Lewin and [Jean-Philippe] Gbamin," Ancelotti said. "The others are all okay and will train today.

"For Dominic I think it's a matter of days. We hope he will be available on Saturday.

"Calvert-Lewin is really important because he gives us the opportunity to play in different ways, long balls for example.

"Without him we lose some opportunities to play but we played really well at Wolves without him and Richarlison so I am not worried for the player that I am not going to play, I have to be worried for the players that I am going to play."

There is better news for Ancelotti regarding his first choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The England international has missed their last four games in all competitions due to a rib injury. During that time, his deputy Robin Olsen has conceded 10 goals.

But Ancelotti is confident Pickford will be back between the sticks on Wednesday night, "Jordan Pickford trained yesterday and was okay. We will check again today and if he's available he's going to play."

Meanwhile, the Toffees boss says James Rodriguez is fit for this week's games having shipped some significant knocks in his last couple of games.

But the Ancelotti doesn't think the Colombian is being unduly targeted by opponents, ""It is the intensity of the game and in the Premier League there is a lot of contact.

"Against Fulham there was nothing wrong, it was normal contact and he is available to play tomorrow.

"He has nothing to do differently. To avoid contact is impossible in football. He has nothing to prove. He has to accept this.

"It was unfortunate he got knocks in the last two games but that is absolutely normal you cannot change the rules of the game."

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Carlo Ancelotti Dominic Calvert Lewin Everton Jordan Pickford Liverpool Merseyside Derby

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