Dominic Calvert-Lewin does not make it into the Everton squad for their Premier League match at Chelsea.
The striker’s return from a hamstring issue had looked unlikely heading into the trip to Stamford Bridge. It has now been confirmed, meaning attention will turn to the other side of the 16-day break for the return of the 25-year-old.
Calvert-Lewin’s absence comes as Sean Dyche names an unchanged first XI as he hopes to follow up the home win over Brentford with a positive result at a ground Everton have not won at since late 1994.
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Dyche's decision to name an unchanged starting line-up comes as little surprise with the manager placing value on consistency and the players he has brought into the side pleasing him so far. Both Michael Keane and Abdoulaye Doucoure retain their places at centre-back and in central midfield respectively. Doucoure is likely to push forward in a bid to support Demerai Gray, who looks like he has made the lone striker role his own in the continued absence of Calvert-Lewin.
Ben Godfrey stays at left-back, despite Vitalii Mykolenko's recovery from illness. James Garner remains on the bench as he awaits his first appearance under Dyche. Nathan Patterson is not in the matchday squad despite being named in the Scotland squad following his comeback from injury.
EVERTON: Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, Godfrey; Iwobi, Onana, Doucoure, Gueye, McNeil; Gray. Subs: Begovic, Holgate, Mina, Mykolenko, Maupay, Davies, Coady, Garner, Simms.
CHELSEA: Kepa; James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Badiashile, Chilwell; Kovacic, Enzo; Joao Felix, Havertz, Pulisic. Subs: Bettinelli, Kante, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Mudryk, Gallagher, Chukwuemeka, Madueke, Cucurella.
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