16 February 2023 , 22:30
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Sean Dyche will leave no mattress unturned, as he strives to get Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit for Everton's relegation run-in.
And there will be no car seat left un-adjusted either, with the new Blues boss revealing his in depth programme to examine exactly why his star striker has persistently broken down with injury over the past 18 months.
Dyche revealed his centre forward will likely be missing again this weekend, his second absence since starring against Arsenal in the manager’s first game, and he said: “I’ve got to learn what his body will and won’t take, which is what we are trying to do now.
“We look at everything; what’s his diet like, what’s his lifestyle like, what car does he drive, what mattress does he use, how many hours does he sleep a night?
“We’re speaking to him, the medics, the sports scientists, looking at the stats, training programmes, distance covered, high speed running, how many kms in a week, That’s learning about people.”
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Dyche admitted that the most important thing will be to understand Calvert-Lewin’s mentality, and he pointed to his head, as he added: “The biggest learning is what is in here and that’s the hard part.”
Yet he also believes the core problem has been the centre forward’s desire to play itself - despite criticism from some sections of the Everton support, questioning his commitment.
Sean Dyche has put smiles back on Everton faces but is desperate to get his No.9 back to his best (Everton FC via Getty Images)“I don’t think he’s been properly fit throughout this situation because of his own will and demand to keep playing,” Dyche added.
“Some players don’t realise until afterwards that they’ve put so much demand on themselves and they weren’t quite ready. I’ve got to learn about his history, his physiological history.
“We have to get the injury right, but him completely right in terms of his general fitness too, so he doesn’t break down. That’s a balance and I’ll take scientific feedback, medical feedback, sports science feedback, my feedback and his feedback.”
Dyche also strongly rejects the notion, put forward by some frustrated supporters, that Calvert-Lewin is ‘injury prone’, and of no use to an Everton side desperately scrapping for survival.
He believes it is a simple question of doing the right thing, to ensure the striker isn’t rushed back too soon because of his importance to the side.
“We have to align the process of getting the injury right and him completely right so that he doesn’t break down and he can keep going,” he added.
“Different bodies heal at different rates. People react differently to things, in general life, not just football. Some people go to work with a cold, others are floored by it. You have to look at each individual.
“As you get older you learn more about your body as well, learn the difference when something is not right or when you know you can shake it off. But it takes a number of years, and we have to look at all those things.”
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