Season › 2018-19 › News
Silva gets fitness boost ahead of Hammers clash
Idrissa Gueye missed the draw with Huddersfield but has recovered in time for Sunday
Marco Silva's selection headache eased late this week with the news that Idrissa Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Theo Walcott and Bernard are all in contention for Sunday.
It had been feared that Gueye, who missed the home game with Huddersfield a fortnight ago with a knee problem, and Walcott, who was substituted with a rib injury from the 1-1 draw, would miss the visit of West Ham but the manager indicated in his pre-match press conference that the pair have recovered.
Calvert-Lewin, meanwhile, has shaken off a knock that saw him removed from England U21 action on midweek.
Finally Bernard, who it was hoped would have been available to make his full debut against Huddersfield but ended up being ruled out with a minor muscle strain, appears to also be ready now.
Seamus Coleman, on the other hand, is facing up to two weeks out with a stress fracture in his foot but there was good news regarding Yerry Mina who is on the mend following a foot problem of his own.
Silva explained that the Colombian has started training with the first team now and it's just a question now of building up his match readiness before he can make his debut following a £28.5m summer move from Barcelona.
James McCarthy is also making good progress as he works his way back from a broken leg. Silva couldn't put a time frame on his return to action, however, saying that there was an understandable issue of confidence as well as physical after such a bad injury.
Watch: Marco Silva's press conference ahead of the West Ham game:
Reader Comments (30)
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2 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:11:10
Pickford
Kenny, Zouma, Holgate, Digne
Gueye, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson
Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Walcott
Subs: Stekelenburg, Baines, Feeney, Davies, Bernard, Dowell, Tosun.
Although I would personally like to see Dowell given a chance in place of Sigurdsson.3 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:14:13
It'll be interesting to see who's starting in Richarlison's place. Seems likely to be Calvert-Lewin off his brace against Rotherham and the header against Huddersfield, but I'll be secretly hoping to see Electric Bernard in there.
Oh, wait, I guess it's not a secret anymore, is it?
4 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:19:54
5 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:23:32
6 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:25:09
First goal, Mina from a Sigurdsson cross, anyone?
7 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:32:47
Sanchez is diminutive like Bernard but he is also as hard as nails. Physically, I see Bernard as more of a Juninho or a David Silva. But either which way, if he turns out to be as good as any of those guys then he will be one hell of a signing.
It might not see like the obvious thing but I think Bernard may actually get the best out of Davies and vice versa. Tom can't really dribble, or pick a 40-yard pass, but he is constantly on the move in and around the box with little deft touches here and there to create openings.
The only player who has really worked well with him in that respect has been Calvert-Lewin. He also is a good with a good football brain. I think adding quality midfielders who play quick, on the ground footie will enable those two kids to excel.
There are some guys who you could drop into any team and they would be stars. Then there are others who can star as a group when put together. Potentially I see see Calvert-Lewin, Bernard, Davies etc as like a Steven, Heath, Sharp type dynamic. Individually, nothing amazing but, as a group, very effective. I know I am setting expectations high but that is my hope anyway.
8 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:46:37
The goals may come from Calvert-Lewin and Sigurdsson after those boys cause a bit of mayhem. A big selection dilemma for Silva will now be Tosun or Calvert-Lewin. It's a close call.
I was impressed with Calvert-Lewin before the break, he looked like he has come on a bit since last season. He was winning headers from set pieces and seems to have found his shooting boots too. 3 goals in 2 games is good work.
If he is 100% fit after his minor injury I would start him. His confidence will be sky high and he looks like he is more likely to score at the moment. If he is not 100%, start Cenk.
9 Posted 14/09/2018 at 16:48:45
10 Posted 14/09/2018 at 17:05:30
Just love that.
Myself? Have huge hopes for Bernard. Think he could be very very exciting.
11 Posted 14/09/2018 at 17:29:24
He's very slight and may well take time to adjust to this league. David Silva, superb magician that he is, struggled to be consistent in his first season or so. I think Bernard will be given more minutes as a sub to get him up to speed.
12 Posted 14/09/2018 at 17:49:34
That's true but there is a ray of hope that he is a seasoned old sausage at 26 in his prime and not a young lad wet behind the ears. He is streetwise and has good experience.
It's just possible he can turn it on from the off. Whatever, all I care about is that he gives 100% and fights like a tiger. He deserves a bit of breathing space to tune in to Premier League football.
13 Posted 14/09/2018 at 18:18:27
14 Posted 14/09/2018 at 18:48:45
15 Posted 14/09/2018 at 19:46:23
16 Posted 14/09/2018 at 19:49:23
An okay start, nothing special. West Ham will take some time to gel but are a potential banana skin with some good players. Let's face it dome of their players would get in our team. Who out of Bournemouth or Huddersfield would get in, and we didn't beat them. We are still finding our feet style wise but I'm confident we are in for a good season.
17 Posted 14/09/2018 at 19:55:15
18 Posted 14/09/2018 at 20:10:53
But I forgot: this is Everton FC. West Ham come to Goodison with no points from 4 games. Conceding 10, and scoring 2.
My prediction: Zonal Marking 2, West Ham 2.
19 Posted 14/09/2018 at 20:10:54
20 Posted 14/09/2018 at 20:29:22
Hope we haven't got another biscuit McCarthy on our hands, especially given we only have him for a season.
21 Posted 14/09/2018 at 20:33:50
Good luck, mate. I'm sure the whole Blue community wishes you well with that particular situation.
22 Posted 14/09/2018 at 21:25:43
23 Posted 14/09/2018 at 21:45:58
Ed at 19 – as Marcus at 21, said: the very best of luck, facing the hurricane.
24 Posted 14/09/2018 at 21:48:30
Correct; my mistake.
25 Posted 14/09/2018 at 23:56:58
Batten down the hatches, have a wee dram and come out the other side.
I live in Florida but I'm over here at the moment for family reasons so I know what you're facing,
I hope you and all the family get through it safely.
26 Posted 14/09/2018 at 00:11:35
My team for Sunday. No great surprises:
Pickford
Kenny Holgate Zouma Digne
Schneiderlin Sigurdsson Gana
Walcott Tosun Lookman
27 Posted 15/09/2018 at 01:21:14
28 Posted 15/09/2018 at 03:37:36
Florence is a bugger of a hurricane. Not hugely powerful but slow as a steamboat. All that rain will loosen the ground and there's surely to be flooding and downed power lines and trees.
Let's hope you're safe and get to see your Blues play come Sunday morning
I personally can't wait. I'm really hoping Bernard gets a start and tears it up. I've been really excited to see this kid play. I think he'll be a gem.
29 Posted 15/09/2018 at 14:00:17
Everton are always very generous when bottom of the league come calling…
30 Posted 15/09/2018 at 15:19:29
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1 Posted 14/09/2018 at 15:59:18