Expert: Benitez to make ‘very risky’ move by ‘exposing’ Calvert-Lewin at Everton
Everton boss Rafael Benitez may have no option but to “expose” Dominic Calvert-Lewin by bringing him back from injury sooner than is ideal.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Calvert-Lewin has missed 19 matches since suffering a toe injury in August, with a quadriceps issue significantly extending his stretch on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old centre-forward is now back in training and was available for the recently cancelled games against Burnley and Newcastle United.
Eight more Toffees stars are currently doubts for the clash against Brighton next Sunday (2 January).
As quoted by The Mirror last Friday (24 December), Benitez lamented a “dangerous” situation where “we have to play players who are not ready”.
Dinnery claims that the under-pressure Spaniard may be forced to throw Calvert-Lewin back into the starting XI despite his lack of full fitness.
“It’s important to give context around what being fit actually means,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“There is a big difference between being available and being fit. He is certainly available for selection.
“Maybe if the game had gone ahead against Burnley, Benitez may have had very little options but to involve him.
“But in an ideal world, that decision would have been nowhere near the forefront of his mind.
“He has been out for the past four months now. To throw him into that highly pressurised environment is a very, very risky situation.
“A return to training isn’t a return to play. In an ideal scenario, he would be managed.
“As it stands, he could bring some players back who have been isolating. I’d be very reluctant to say he’d start because it shouldn’t really happen.”
Calvert-Lewin netted three times in as many appearances before his injury in the opening throes of the season.
His Everton side are currently 15th in the league table but could move as high as 12th with a win against Brighton.
In other news, pundit tips Everton to sanction loan-to-buy Lucas Digne deal after “massive” development.