Sean Dyche has provided an update on the fitness of one of his young Everton stars ahead of the trip to Chelsea on Monday evening.
The Toffees head to West London in search of back-to-back wins for the first time in 2024 after their narrow victory over Burnley last Saturday.
Despite the three points, the Blues dropped to 16th on Monday after being docked two further points by the Premier League after their second PSR verdict was made public. Everton now sit just two points above Luton Town, who occupy the final relegation berth.
Dyche has been talking to the press ahead of the game and has provided the injury latest at Goodison Park.
Will ‘outstanding’ Lewis Dobbin play again this season for Everton?
Speaking on Thursday, Dyche confirmed that Amadou Onana has returned to full training after missing the clash with Vincent Kompany’s side.
The 52-year-old also revealed that the club are monitoring Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s slight hamstring issue ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Another player who has been out of action is Lewis Dobbin, and the former Burnley boss has revealed whether the 21-year-old will feature again this season.
“He’s making good progress,” he told The Liverpool Echo.
“I wouldn’t want to give a timescale, but we are hopeful over the next couple of weeks at least that he can maybe get around the squad again, but we’ll see. It’s delicate. A straightforward injury in one way, but a delicate one to kind get the timing right to make sure it’s strong enough to continue.”
On whether he will feature again this season, Dyche responded: “We’ll see.”
Lewis Dobbin’s Everton frustration continues
Dobbin must be highly frustrated with his current injury woes. He has shown some extremely promising glimpses this season and would have been given more chances had he been fit.
The former Derby County loanee need only look at the success of Jarrad Branthwaite. There are opportunities at Goodison Park; it’s now about being fit enough to take them.
Lewis Dobbin 2023/24 statistics
Dobbin’s attributes have been highlighted in the past. Back in 2021, journalist Thomas Feaheny highlighted his key attributes: “Lewis Dobbin has been outstanding, a hat-trick, good range of passing & very skilful during the opening 45 minutes.”
Dyche will also be frustrated. His side’s lack of goals means the 21-year-old would probably have seen minutes. Looking to ease him back to full fitness carefully is now the route to go down.