Everton boss Sean Dyche says he’s unlikely to risk Dominic Calvert-Lewin for their Premier League opener against Fulham.
The striker scored from the spot for Saturday’s 1-0 preseason win against Sporting CP.
Asked if Calvert-Lewin will start against Fulham this weekend, Dyche said: “I doubt it because the game’s programme hasn’t been achieved yet; he has played two 45-minute games, so therefore we have to keep building him up because we cannot go down the cycle of events from the last two years; we have to break it.
“We tried to break it last season; we nearly got there, but it didn’t quite work. Now we have to be cautious to make sure that he is well, which he is.
“You saw that today, but we have to make sure he is over everything and clear minded and his body is clear as well. All problems can be remedied in the human body; it is just some bodies take longer than others.”
Dyche also said: “I was under no illusions; I knew we would have to lose players because I knew the market would be tougher than it has been previously because of money, but, equally, the club has to have a proper footing and a real base to work from, and a reality of where it is.
“I think the fans have been terrific with that; actually, the noise I hear is very positive of trying to say this is where we are at. At the end of last season, I made it clear of where it is at.
“The fans said to me they want the truth; I have told them the truth, so let’s build on that and build together.”
