Sean Dyche gives Dominic Calvert-Lewin fitness update and explains Everton transfer uncertainty
Sean Dyche has "commended" Dominic Calvert-Lewin for his match-winning Merseyside derby performance after the Everton forward overcame illness to score in the 2-0 victory over Liverpool.
Calvert-Lewin was passed fit to start despite an illness bug in the hours before the game but still managed to play a key role for the Toffees, terrorising the Liverpool defence and adding his name to the scoresheet in the second half after Jarrad Branthwaite's opener.
And Dyche says Everton have had to choose their moments with him this season as the club weigh up the risks of pushing the striker through the various injuries and knocks picked up during the campaign.
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He said: "I thought he was excellent. He's had a bit of illness. We're hopeful that has passed, he had it before the game, so I must commend him on that. His physical performance was outstanding, He's not quite over it but we hope it settles down a bit.
"We've been doing that all season (assessing when Calvert-Lewin can play). The medical staff have been feeding back into the coaches. We took a risk not playing him at Chelsea when he might have been able to. It's risk and reward.
"We took a bit of a risk with Gana last night. Had a bit of a tight calf. He came through it and played very well. It's a fine line at times. Especially when we have a thing squad in numbers."
The Everton boss admitted Vitalii Mykolenko will be sidelined for the Brentford match as he awaits a scan on an ankle injury picked up against Liverpool, while Seamus Coleman is yet to return to full training.
Meanwhile, Dyche explained that Everton are still unsure as to what transfer business they'll be able to conduct this summer as the wait for the protracted takeover of the club by American group 777 Partners goes on.
The takeover is still awaiting Premier League approval as 777 seek to convince the authorities that they have the money to finance the club despite a deal being agreed with Farhad Moshiri in October.
And Dyche, who was asked if the club are prepared to sign Jack Harrison on a permanent transfer, admitted that it's hard to plan for the summer with such uncertainty.
He said: "We'll have to worry about that when we get to the summer, we're still in that flux position of not knowing quite where it is.
"We're still planning things where we can, myself and Kev (Thelwell), the scouts (we're) looking at things, the options and how we could mould things here and outside of here. But it's the shifting sands at the moment."