Sean Dyche said it would be a "close call" over whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be available for Everton's trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The striker has not featured for Dyche since being substituted in the second half of his first game as Blues boss against Arsenal at Goodison Park last month. His withdrawal, around the hour mark, was as a precaution over a hamstring issue but Dyche has focused on the need to rebuild his overall condition in the weeks that have followed.
He hinted that remained the case after Everton's defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday night. Everton's reliance on the 25-year-old as a focal point was once again underlined in the 4-0 defeat.
