Rafa Benitez has told EvertonTV he is thrilled by how his players responded to Everton’s injury problems over the last month, but is looking forward to having a fully fit squad again.
The Toffees have had to tackle recent Premier League games without key men in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Seamus Coleman. Benitez has also been short of depth, with Fabian Delph, Andre Gomes and Alex Iwobi spending time on the sidelines.
But despite their problems, the Goodison Park outfit have only lost one of their first seven top-flight fixtures this term. Success in the Carabao Cup is now out of the question, though, after losing on penalties to Queens Park Rangers.
Benitez expects Everton will receive positive news on the injury front over the international break. The Spaniard will also use the pause in domestic fixtures to give those at Finch Farm a rest. But paid tribute to those who have stepped up in recent weeks to maintain results.
“In terms of the reaction of the team and how we are coping with [the injuries], I am really pleased, because everybody is giving everything,” Benitez said. “You can see players coming from the bench, and they are ready to try to help the team.
“Hopefully, we can rest some players. We can recover some players, who are a little bit tired. And then the others, if we have one or two coming back, we will be grateful, because we need legs.
“I am really pleased with the players we have at the moment. But if you have two or three players that will come back and help the others then, hopefully, it will be very useful for the team.”
Benitez looking forward to injury free Everton
The manner some Everton players stepped up while others carried injuries in recent weeks should rightly please Benitez. But the Spaniard will also be looking forward to having an injury free squad, particularly in attack.
The Merseyside outfit have relied on goals from Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray to maintain results while without Calvert-Lewin. The England international started the season on fire with three goals in three games, but sustained a quadriceps injury.
Richarlison had also offered an influential forward presence with one goal and one assist over four league outings. Which Salomon Rondon has so far struggled to replicate as he strived to build fitness in a demanding centre-forward role.
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