Everton have been continuing their preparations for Monday’s game against Wolves with another training session at Finch Farm.
After more than a six-week break for the World Cup, the Blues return to Premier League action on Boxing Day when they welcome Julen Lopetegui’s side to Goodison Park. Everton will head into the game just one point above the drop zone.
Frank Lampard’s side warmed up for their return to Premier League action with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa in a behind-closed-doors training match at Goodison on Wednesday afternoon. Early goals from Anthony Gordon and Neal Maupay proved to be the difference.
READ MORE: Kevin Thelwell has a 120-point plan to rejuvenate Everton
READ MORE: Frank Lampard provides Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury update as major Everton hope offered
The game came a week after the Blues drew 1-1 with Manchester United in a friendly match at Carrington. And ahead of Monday’s game, here are four things we spotted from the latest batch of training ground photographs released by the club.
Special guest watches on
As well as members of the club’s coaching staff, former Everton forward Adrian Heath was pictured taking in the session at Finch Farm.
Heath was a club record signing when he joined Everton from Stoke City in January 1982 for £700,000, and he went on to play a crucial role as Howard Kendall's side secured their second league title success in three seasons in 1986/87. He scored 11 times during that campaign.
The former forward’s outstanding Blues career was recognised in 2018 when he became the latest club legend to be named an Everton Giant. Since retiring from playing, Heath has made a name for himself in the USA with stints at Minnesota United, his current club, and Orlando City.
However, with the 2022 MLS season having finished back in October, Heath has taken the chance to return to England. And he was pictured chatting to Ashley Cole as Everton’s players were put through their paces.
Calvert-Lewin trains
Speaking in an interview with the club, which was released on Thursday morning, Frank Lampard revealed Dominic Calvert-Lewin 'might be available' for Monday’s game.
The forward has managed just 340 minutes of football so far this season and has struggled with various injuries since the start of the last campaign. As recent as November, the England international was carrying three separate injuries.
But if this evidence is anything to go by then it appears the forward is doing all he can to be fit for Monday’s game. Calvert-Lewin was pictured taking part in full training with the rest of his team-mates.
Gordon and Iwobi present amid contract talk
Everton’s January transfer window priority is on forward options and Lampard is hopeful of two signings to boost his firepower. The club had a shortlist of targets drawn up ahead of the World Cup break and Lampard and Thelwell remained in touch throughout that period.
But as well as incomings, the Blues are also looking to finalise new deals for Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi. As reported by the ECHO earlier this week, talks with the pair have been ongoing for some time, and are said to have progressed well.
The new deals would secure the long-term futures of two of Lampard’s key players. And the pair, amid all the talk about their new contracts, were all smiles in training as preparations for Wolves continued.
Cannon present amid transfer speculation
Not for the first time this season, Tom Cannon has taken part in a first-team training session.
You could probably say, especially following the departure of Salomon Rondon, that Cannon is now a member of Frank Lampard’s first-team squad. However, for how long remains to be seen as the forward is being continually linked with a loan move away from the club next month.
As reported by the ECHO on Wednesday, Cannon believes he can make an impact in the first-team, but several Football League clubs are tracking his availability. However, either way, the club’s under-21 boss Paul Tait is braced to lose him for the rest of the season.
READ NEXT
-
Everton fans to shape matchday experience at new stadium in 'vital' survey
-
Frank Lampard must take transfer risk to solve Everton defensive dilemma against Wolves
-
Everton make January transfer window decision over Yerry Mina, claims new report
-
What Nathan Patterson is doing more of at Everton to 'keep up' in Premier League
