Everton boss Rafa reveals DCL still out for a ‘couple of weeks minimum’

Joe Williams
Everton boss Rafa Benitez speaks to reporters

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still at least a couple of weeks away from being in contention to rejoin under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez’s squad.

The England international and the club’s leading scorer last season has not played since suffering a relapse to a thigh injury sustained in August.

As a result the team have struggled for goals, with Demarai Gray’s effort in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby defeat against Liverpool, their first for a month.


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“I was talking with the physio and fitness coach and he is getting better but still a couple of weeks minimum,” said Benitez.

“We have to be very careful with him as he’s had two injuries so we want to be sure he is getting stronger and well and now is the time to progress and he is doing really well.”

There was some good news on the injury front, however, with centre-back Yerry Mina, who has not featured for two months because of a hamstring problem, on the verge of a return with Everton set to host Arsenal on Monday.

“Yerry Mina has done part of the training session today so he’s getting closer and we will see how he reacts in the next couple of days to see if he is available or not,” added Benitez.

“Andre Gomes is training. Salomon Rondon (hamstring), we are assessing him. He is feeling better but we need to wait for the scan.”

Everton are going through a terrible run of form and Benitez has urged his side to “stick together” in an effort to bounce back from their Merseyside derby defeat.

The Toffees have managed one win in their last 11 matches in all competitions and they will be looking to get back to winning ways at home to Arsenal on Monday.

“I’ve been in a situation for fighting titles and avoiding relegation and my experience is to stay calm, keep working hard, correct mistakes and stick together. That is crucial,” Benitez said.

“Derbies are more emotional, we are disappointed but we have the numbers. We were running more than Liverpool in every department but we conceded four goals. They punished our mistakes and we are already analysing that.”