Pundit issues ‘massive’ Calvert-Lewin claim after ‘huge’ Everton news
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could inspire a turnaround in fortunes at Everton upon his injury return, according to Alan Hutton.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 24-year-old has been a “huge miss” for the Toffees this term.
England international Calvert-Lewin has been sat on the sidelines since picking up a thigh injury at the end of August.
As per club media (21 December), the Everton striker confirmed he will “hopefully be back on Boxing Day” after returning to training this week.
Toffees boss Rafa Benitez is under pressure at Goodison Park, with the Merseyside club sitting 14th in the Premier League after 17 games.
Hutton insisted the Spaniard will be “thanking his lucky stars” after Calvert-Lewin’s fitness update.
“It’s massively important for Rafa Benitez and Everton, they’ve really struggled without him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“Rondon’s come in. He looked overweight at the start of the season. You can maybe understand that at first, he hasn’t played an awful lot of football. However, he still isn’t quite looking up to speed.
“Having Calvert-Lewin back in contention, I think Benitez will be thanking his lucky stars. He’s such a huge miss, he’s absolutely pivotal to everything they do going forward – not to mention the goals he scores.
“He’s been missing such a long time and that could be the reason why Everton have really struggled recently.”
Everton have won just one of their last 11 league matches.
The Toffees travel to Burnley on Boxing Day.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has revealed Everton could be in ‘breach of contract’ amid a £300m reveal.