‘Normally’: Rafa Benitez hints Everton man could play for first time this season on Sunday

Follow us on Google Discover

Rafa Benitez has explained that Cenk Tosun and Salomon Rondon are above Ellis Simms in his pecking order as Everton need experienced heads at Brentford, via the Liverpool Echo.

The Blues travel to the Bees on Sunday seeking a first win in seven Premier League games. They have not taken all three-points in a fixture since beating Norwich on September 25.

But Benitez will face Brentford without his first-choice strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. The former remains out with a quadriceps injury while the latter is suspended.

Rondon led the Everton attack when Benitez was also without Richarlison to a knee injury earlier in the term. But the Venezuelan is yet to score or lay on an assist after eight games.

So, Tosun could now make his first appearance of the season in any competition when the Toffees visit Brentford. The Turkey forward missed the start of the term as he continued his rehabilitation after rupturing his patella tendon in April and requiring surgery.

“At the moment we have two experienced players, Tosun and Rondon, available and a young player that was injured and is coming back in Simms,” Benitez said.

“Normally in these kind of games, it’s games for people with experience. The senior players have more chances to be ahead of Simms, the young player.”

Benitez to make Simms wait for Everton debut, as Tosun eyes first outing this term

Tosun returned from his lengthy absence to take a seat on the bench when Everton visited Wolves earlier this month. He remained among the substitutes against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, but is yet to step foot on the field since Benitez took over the Blues.

Benitez’s comments hint Tosun may now make his campaign debut when Everton travel to Brentford on Sunday. With Rondon failing to impress, and Simms down his pecking order.

Simms – like Tosun – started the season in the Everton treatment room after undergoing groin surgery during the summer. He sustained the issue during his loan spell at Blackpool.

The 20-year-old impressed with the Seasiders, netting 10 goals in 24 games, to help reach the League One play-off final. He has also impressed Benitez in training, but will likely have to wait a little bit longer to make his senior Everton debut, despite his rivals’ own plights.