Young striker called up to Everton senior team

Youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been called up to replace Enner Valencia in the match day squad.

On-loan forward Valencia is ineligible to play for Everton against his parent club West Ham in tomorrow’s Premier League game. Per the terms of standard loans, players do not usually play against the team the player’s contract belongs to.

Calvert-Lewin has turned plenty of heads in the Toffees U-23 side with his performances lately and youth team manager Dave Unsworth has talked his praises for some time now.

The 19-year-old joined the Blues this summer from Sheffield United for £1.5 million, and scored his first goal in a win over Manchester United in the U-23s.

The England U-20 international marked his international debut with a goal, and has also hastened the loan of Belgian striker David Henen, who is expected to leave the club for the rest of the season in the January transfer window.

In a recent interview, he insisted he was fighting for a first team place, and now appears to have it.

“Of course I’m aiming to break into the first team, if that’s not your aim then there’s no point in playing.

“I’ve just got to keep settling into the Under 23’s like I have done, keep playing well and hopefully good performances will help me progress. I won’t get bogged down if I don’t break in this season but the sooner the better for me.

“I’ve played two games now for the Under 23’s, the club itself have been really welcoming. It’s a great city to now be living in and I’ve settled into things really well.”