Rich pickings for Toffees despite injury setbacks

RICHARLISON has vowed to step up for Everton in the absence of injured striker Dominic Calvert-lewin.

Out of action since sustaining a quad injury in August, Calvert-lewin (below) recently suffered a setback that will keep him sidelined for a few more weeks.

But Richarlison, who has only just returned from a spell out himself, is ready to take on the responsibility of replacing his team-mate.

He said: “Centre-forward is my original position in football since I was a kid and I feel comfortable playing as a striker.

“Of course Dominic is sorely missed, he’s a great player and it would be great to have him on the pitch too, but I like that responsibility, it’s not something new for me.

“So I will try to perform in the best possible way.

“I hope to score goals and help our team back to winning days, which is the most important thing right now.”

With his fellow forwards confined to the treatment room in recent weeks, free transfer Salomon Rondon has been charged with leading the line for the Toffees.

The Venezuelan has failed to score in six Premier League appearances thus far, but Richarlison remains convinced of his worth.

Richarlison (left) added: “Salomon is a great player and will help us a lot in the future.

“It’s important to remember that he didn’t have a pre-season and didn’t even have the ideal time to fully adapt to the team due to our injury situation.

“I believe that over the next few games he will have the chance to evolve.

“Fans and football pundits don’t always see how hard the guy works and is trying hard to help. It is normal, as they are not in our daily work and just watch the games.

“But I’m sure that Rondon will soon show everyone that he has a lot of quality.

“It takes a little more patience so that he can be 100 percent adapted and we will support him a lot on and off the pitch until he reaches his best form.”

Richarlison also called for unity after a testing period that has seen Everton lose three on the bounce.

The Brazilian said: “It’s hard to lose so many important players at the same time.

“Now is an important moment in the season, in which we will have a string of difficult games and we need our group, the players, the fans, everyone, to be united and strong.”