Sean Dyche has issued an update on the fitness of one of his young Everton players ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Monday evening.
The Toffees travel to West London in pursuit of back-to-back victories for the first time in 2024, following their narrow triumph over Burnley on Saturday.
Despite the three points, the Blues fell to 16th place on Monday after being fined two more points by the Premier League when their second PSR ruling was revealed. Everton are now only two points ahead of Luton Town, who hold the final relegation spot.
Dyche has spoken to the press ahead of the game and has offered the most recent injury update at Goodison Park.
Will ‘outstanding’ Lewis Dobbin play again this season for Everton?
On Thursday, Dyche stated that Amadou Onana had returned to full training after missing the match against Vincent Kompany’s side.
The 52-year-old also disclosed that the team is monitoring Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s minor hamstring injury ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Lewis Dobbin has also been sidelined, and the former Burnley manager has hinted if the 21-year-old will play again this season.
“He’s making good progress,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“I wouldn’t want to provide a timetable, but we are hopeful that he will be able to rejoin the squad within the next few weeks, but we’ll see. It’s delicate. A simple injury in one sense, but a sensitive one to get the time right to ensure it’s strong enough to continue.”
Dyche said when asked if he would play again this season, “We’ll see.”
Lewis Dobbin’s Everton frustration continues
Dobbin must be really frustrated with his present injury situation. He has shown some highly promising moments this season and would have received more opportunities if he had been fit.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s achievement serves as an example for the former Derby County loanee. There are chances at Goodison Park; the key now is to be physically strong enough to take advantage of them.
Lewis Dobbin 2023/24 statistics
| Player | Matches | Goals | Assists |
| Lewis Dobbin | 11 | 1 | 0 |
Dobbin’s qualities have been acknowledged in the past. In 2021, journalist Thomas Feaheny emphasized his important attributes: “Lewis Dobbin has been outstanding, a hat-trick, good range of passing & very skilful during the opening 45 minutes.”
Dyche will also be frustrated. Due to his team’s lack of goals, the 21-year-old would have most likely played minutes. The best course of action now is to gradually return him to full fitness.
