Everton have received a double injury setback ahead of their Premier League clash with West Ham United this afternoon after both Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were ruled out of action.
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The Toffees have been without the Brazil international since September 13 after he was injured following a heavy challenge from James Tarkowski in the Toffees’ 3-1 victory over Burnley, picking up a knee issue in the process.
Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, has been absent since the win at Brighton at the end of August due to a fractured toe, although Everton’s form hasn’t suffered in their absence.
Nevertheless, the pair are vitally important to Rafa Benitez’s side, and he confirmed that the attacking pair will be unavailable for the visit of the Hammers, although there was some positive news regarding the fitness of Lucas Digne.
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“Lucas (Digne) is fine, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are closer, but still they won’t be available for this game,” the Spaniard revealed in Friday’s press conference.
And Benitez also confirmed that his defensive ranks should be bolstered by key centre-back Yerry Mina despite his involvement in Colombia’s World Cup qualifiers over the international break.
“Yerry is coming back, he’s been playing a lot of games, a lot of minutes, but now I think he is travelling so hopefully, he will be here for starting the game.
“Everything is positive in terms of the feedback, but we’ll have to wait and see how he feels. He’s following the protocols and is doing everything he has to do to be sure that he’s available,” Benitez concluded.
Benitez will be gutted
The news that both Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin will be absent once again will leave Benitez feeling gutted ahead of a tricky encounter at Goodison Park.
The Brazilian bagged one goal and provided one assist in his four top-flight outings prior to his injury setback, while Calvert-Lewin netted in each of his three appearances for the Blues, highlighting their importance to the team.
Benitez will be hoping that the likes of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray can step up in their absence once again, maintaining Everton’s impressive start to the season.
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