Everton Injury News: Dominic Calvert-Lewin and defender blow, one returns to training

Everton faces Liverpool in the mighty Merseyside derby on Wednesday evening. The Toffees are on a pathetic run of results and pressure is mounting on Rafa Benitez. The Spanish manager is now desperate to overturn the results and get back on track.

One of the major reasons for this slump has been down to the injuries to key players which has taken away the essence of the team. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Richarlison have spent significant time on the sidelines.

Doucoure returned against Brentford after missing four games meanwhile Richarlison will also return after serving his one game suspension. Calvert-Lewin and Mina missed the games and Everton are awaiting the duo’s return.

In the supporting cast, Tom Davies and Andre Gomes have also been out with knee and calf injuries respectively. The absence of the midfield duo stretches the midfield squad depth and may put additional pressure on the available players. Ahead of the all important clash against Liverpool, Rafa Benitez addressed the press and provided an injury update on the sidelined players.

Everton Injury News vs Liverpool

"At the moment we have three injuries. We have three players injured. Davies, Yerry Mina and Calvert-Lewin. Andre Gomes has started training with the team. So we are improving in this area.The problem for us was key players in key games asked to perform on the level we were performing and now we are managing a situation that is not easy because the results are not easy.The group of players available are the same [as Brentford] but Gomes is training. Dominic, Mina and Davies are not available and at least the players are training and that is a great advantage for the future. They will need some time for achieving match fitness but at least they are training now (via the club’s official YouTube Channel)"

The absence of Calvert-Lewin and Mina will hurt Everton. There was some hope that the duo might recover in time but all hopes have been thrashed. Mina’s absence indicates that Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey will again start as the centre back pairing and since no return for Calvert-Lewin is on the cards, Richarlison will start up top.

Even though Gomes has returned to training, it is unlikely that he’ll feature in the game. At best, he may make it to the bench but considering his extended absence and lack of match fitness, Benitez is unlikely to use him in the vital Merseyside derby.

Will Calvert-Lewin and Mina’s absence haunt the Toffees?