James Tarkowski spoke of his empathy toward Dominic Calvert-Lewin over the striker's fitness battle as he suggested now is the time for another Everton player to 'do a job'.
Tarkowski praised Calvert-Lewin for the commitment he has shown while fighting injury throughout this season. From what then boss Frank Lampard described as a "freak" knee problem to hamstring and shoulder issues, the 26-year-old has had rotten luck this season.
Everton manager Sean Dyche is now awaiting assessment of a new hamstring complaint that forced the England international off against Wolverhampton Wanderers - a game he had overcome a groin issue to start.
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Speaking after the draw at Molineux, Tarkowski said of Calvert-Lewin and his latest setback: "I feel for him. He works ever so hard, looks after himself, does everything he can to stay fit and keep on the pitch.
"He just needs to get himself right because he is a top, top player and he is such a big player for us but we just need him fit and on the pitch as much as possible."
Everton lacked a focal point after Calvert-Lewin's withdrawal and ended the game with centre-back Michael Keane spearheading the attack. Tarkowski referred to Keane's prowess in the box as being part of that decision, with his fellow defender having scored several important goals for the Blues and being known as one of the best finishers in the squad.
Tarkowski alluded to that as he said: "You have probably heard it before but we all know that Keano is quality in and around the box. He scored the goal against Spurs and he has scored a fair few goals so he has a knack of knowing where to be - and he is good in the air so when we lost Dom he was that physical presence and it just made sense to throw him up there."
Yet while Keane ultimately played a role in the Yerry Mina goal that clinched what could be a crucial point in Everton's fight for Premier League survival, Tarkowski was clear a recognised forward would need to emerge as a game-changer for next week’s final-day decider with Bournemouth, should Calvert-Lewin be unavailable.
The centre-back said: “He [Calvert-Lewin] is a big player for us. Someone is clearly going to have to do a job, we have got Neal [Maupay] there, Demarai [Gray] has played up there for us, so it is an opportunity for one of them to come in and show what they are about.”
If Leicester City fail to beat Newcastle United at St James' Park on Monday night, the Blues will go into the game against Bournemouth knowing that victory would secure their survival, no matter results elsewhere.
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