Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s early injury in the 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium has left Everton with just one fit striker ahead of their huge clash at home to Leicester City on Saturday. Calvert-Lewin was forced out of the action just 13 minutes into the game on the Sussex coast after landing awkwardly when going up for a header against Joel Veltman.

When speaking about his number nine’s injury and Orel Mangala subsequently going off after the Blues had used all their allotted substitution slots – forcing them to finish the contest with 10 men – manager David Moyes admitted: “They don’t look great.” Everton’s only available centre-forward Beto, who joined the club from Udinese for £25.8million in August 2023, has been repeatedly linked with a return to Italy this month but it was his pressure on home defender Veltman that led to the Dutchman handling the ball in his own area for the match-winning penalty from Iliman Ndiaye.

The Senegal international, who has spent most of his time with the Blues so far on the left wing, offers an alternative up front having previously played in that position for Sheffield United. However, with Youssef Chermiti having not kicked a ball for the first team all season due to injury and on-loan Armando Broja set to be sidelined for 10-12 weeks with ankle ligament damage – a setback that could see him sent back to parent club Chelsea for his rehabilitation – Moyes’ attacking options are suddenly looking very limited.

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Following Everton’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in his first game back, Moyes said: “We’re desperately needing to add some quality in certain areas, mainly to create and craft goals, and it looks like to finish as well, we’re needing to get those levels up.” However, when speaking in his pre-match press conference for the Brighton & Hove Albion fixture, the Blues boss admitted that Dwight McNeil, who has scored four goals and provided three assists this season but hasn’t featured since the 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 4, was probably going to require knee surgery.

Having produced a couple of encouraging displays in Everton’s first back-to-back wins of the season, Jesper Lindstrom looks in a strong position to retain his starting spot on the right wing but Moyes did pick Jack Harrison there for his first game against Aston Villa. Either of those loan players could also be deployed in a more advanced central position if Abdoulaye Doucoure drops back into a deeper midfield role because of Mangala’s injury while James Garner, who came off the bench at the Amex Stadium for his first outing since the goalless draw against Newcastle United on October 5 is also in contention with Tim Iroegbunam, looking to step up his recovery having been absent since the Magpies stalemate.

Having not started a Premier League game under Sean Dyche, Jake O’Brien has been picked on the right of defence for the last two matches and given his encouraging displays, Ashley Young might find it difficult to get back in despite being one of the previous manager’s most trusted lieutenants, although Everton’s oldest ever outfield player can also fill in at left-back or on either wing if required.