Blues boss insists he won’t “take risks” over injured personnel ahead of new season
Marco Silva has urged Evertonians not to worry about a quintet of Everton stars who have found themselves sidelined during pre-season.
The Portuguese boss was quoted in the Liverpool Echo after his side drew 1-1 with League Two outfit Bury on Wednesday night.
Theo Walcott, Ademola Lookman, Yannick Bolasie, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beni Baningime all sat out the contest at Gigg Lane.
The five absentees were somewhat felt as Everton, dominant though they were, struggled to see off their opponents.
Silva insisted, however, that there should be no concerns over their availability ahead of the new campaign.
Walcott is yet to feature for the Toffees in either of their friendly fixtures thus far.
The ex-Arsenal forward picked up an ankle knock in training and Silva revealed that he wouldn’t “take risks” with the 29-year-old before the new season kicks off.
Lookman was another who failed to feature against Bury due to a slight knock, while Bolasie was still suffering from a bout of illness.
Calvert-Lewin and Baningime, like Walcott, didn’t feature against ATV Irdning or Bury due to back and ankle problems.
The first four have depleted Silva’s attacking options of late and it showed as, despite shuffling his pack against the Shakers, Silva only saw his side score once.
Baningime’s absence is felt less keenly due to the options at Silva’s disposal in midfield.
However, the defensive midfielder will want to get fit as soon as possible to prove his worth after a clutch of promising displays for the Blues last season.
Walcott, Lookman and Calvert-Lewin will be integral to Silva’s first-team plans this season.
He won’t want to rush them back, then, and cause minor injuries to become major ones ahead of the first game of the campaign against Wolves.
Bolasie is a different kettle of fish as the winger has been linked with a transfer away.
Next: Everton Unveil 2018/19 Away Kit in Historical Fashion
Galatasaray and Fenerbahce want to sign him on loan and, whilst he will have recovered from his stomach bug soon, Everton don’t seem to want to retain his services.