Everton have been handed a Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury blow after Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that his top scorer will miss the Wolverhampton Wanderers game with a hamstring problem while the Blues are also sweating on the fitness of fellow frontman Richarlison for the trip to Molineux.
The pair – along with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford – missed Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie with Rotherham United as Everton laboured to a 2-1 extra time win over the Championship strugglers.
In his pre-match press conference before that fixture, Ancelotti insisted that although the trio were to be absent it was because they were rested rather than injured.
However, Calvert-Lewin, who has netted 14 goals so far this season, will now remain on the sidelines.
Ancelotti said: “Pickford is ok, Richarlison we have to wait on training today and make a decision. Calvert-Lewin is not available.
“It is a hamstring problem.”
Asked how long Calvert-Lewin might be out for, Ancelotti replied: “No. I think he can recover soon.”
Ancelotti revealed that the Everton number nine had picked up a knock prior to their last Premier League game, the 1-0 home defeat to West Ham United on January 1, but has been unable to recover sufficiently so they are being cautious about bringing him back too soon.
He said: “He had a little problem in the week before West Ham but given the fact he had never had this injury before he was not able to judge for himself 100%.
“He played the whole game against West Ham so this means that it’s not a really important injury but we want to keep him safe and when he comes back, be 100%.
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“Without an important player like Dominic we need to be able to replace him in different ways.
“We’re going to play a player with different characteristics and we have to adapt for this.
“For sure we will be less dangerous from crosses but maybe we can be more dangerous with the final pass.”
Everton are also without Allan with a hamstring problem and asked when the Brazilian midfielder might return, Ancelotti said: “Allan, I think can return in 10-15 days.”
