Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up his fitness comeback ahead of Saturday’s crucial Premier League trip to Crystal Palace with a run-out in a behind closed doors training game at Finch Farm.
The striker, who hasn’t featured in the first team since he was withdrawn with a hamstring injury an hour into Everton’s 1-0 win over Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s opening fixture as Blues boss back on February 1, played 70 minutes against non-League Chester on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old was unable to find the net as a Blues side also featuring the likes of Yerry Mina, Conor Coady, Nathan Patterson, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Tom Davies, Ellis Simms and Mason Holgate were beaten 1-0 by the sixth tier National League North outfit.
READ MORE: Alex Iwobi lifts lid on desperate race to force Everton transfer
READ MORE: Sean Dyche explains talks with Everton staff that may change Frank Lampard plan
Dyche has long been coy about Calvert-Lewin’s return timescale but following Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Fulham, he said: “Dom’s going well which is a positive.
“He’ll be back hopefully in the thinking this week as long as the week goes well. He’s had a very good week this week and we want him to have another very good week next week and then we’ll see how he’s feeling.”
Calvert-Lewin netted 21 goals for Everton as recently as two seasons ago but his last two campaigns have been blighted by fitness issues and he’s scored just once this term in 12 matches with the Blues’ 24-goal team total so far the lowest in the English football pyramid.
READ NEXT
- Sean Dyche explains talks with Everton staff that may change Frank Lampard plan
- Seamus Coleman should call team meeting to get Everton issue out in the open
- 'We're not stressed' - Brian Sorensen makes transfer vow amid Everton relegation fight
- 'Spin the boat around' - Alex Iwobi lifts lid on desperate race to force Everton transfer
