Sean Dyche says Dominic Calvert-Lewin is “touch and ready, at best” for Everton’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Monday (2000 GMT).
The striker retired just after the hour mark in the Blues’ 1-0 win over league leaders Arsenal last weekend, and manager Dyche later revealed it was a precautionary measure following a hamstring problem.
The 25-year-old has been absent from education, so this week he is ahead of the 242nd Merseyside derby.
“We’re still watching him,” Dyche said at his pregame news conference.
“We’ll just have to be vigilant and hope he settles down as soon as possible.
“He had some small injuries that we know about. [We’re looking to master them], so that their framework fits and all those things in the long run.
“He put in a genuine replacement [against Arsenal]. His stats were very smart, but unfortunately he only had one hamstring and we want to put him down as temporarily as possible. “
The Toffees won a double physical duel before the home matchup, with James Garner and Ben Godfrey back after recovering from back and knee injuries, respectively.
Nathan Patterson, meanwhile, is back on the turf to finish his individual frames as his medial knee rehabilitation intensifies.
Andros Townsend (ACL) not available.