Everton manager Frank Lampard has declared that he’s “hopeful” Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be fit to face Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
The striker netted a career-high 21 goals in all competitions last season to finish as Everton’s leading scorer, earning a place in England’s European Championship squad as Three Lions captain Harry Kane’s understudy.
Despite an injury-hit campaign this time around, Lampard believes his No.9 could now be back to go head-to-head against Tottenham talisman Kane in the capital.
Calvert-Lewin netted three goals in the Blues’ first three Premier League matches this term but was then sidelined until the turn of the calendar year with a quadriceps injury.
The 24-year-old has failed to score in five games since his comeback and has missed all three of Everton’s FA Cup ties plus the Premier League clash against reigning champions and leaders Manchester City.
However, asked if Calvert-Lewin could feature at Spurs, Lampard said: “I’m hopeful. He’s going to train with us tomorrow and I’ve just spoken to him literally five minutes ago and he was very pleased with his session this morning.
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“So hopefully he integrates with the squad tomorrow and we’ll see how he is for Monday.”
Lampard also offered fitness updates on some of his other players, including Ben Godfrey, and Demarai Gray and Andre Gomes, who both surprisingly missed Thursday's 2-0 FA Cup win over Boreham Wood.
He said: “Ben’s getting closer but Ben won’t make Monday but he should be ready to train with us after Monday’s game for the middle of next week which is great.
“We’ve lost two big centre-backs from pretty much the moment I came in.
“Demarai Gray had a bit of a fever going into the game against Boreham Wood when he was due to play so we’ve missed him.
“Andre Gomes has trained today and is available for the squad.”
