OPINION
Everton boss Marco Silva is sweating on the fitness of in-form winger Theo Walcott after the 29-year-old was forced off with a rib injury in the second half of their draw with Huddersfield.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Walcott is making good progress in his recovery from the injury, with both club and player hopeful that he will be fit to face West Ham next weekend.
Silva is currently having to contend with a few injury and suspension problems in attacking areas, and having Walcott back immediately to face the Hammers would be a big boost for the Toffees.
However, Silva does not necessarily have to rush Walcott straight back into action, and could actually view this as the perfect chance to hand another player a chance to impress in the early season running.
The rarely-seen player in question is speed machine Ademola Lookman, who was denied a move away from the club over the summer after Bundesliga side RB Leipzig saw a £25million bid rejected for his services.
Silva has lavished praise on Lookman for the way he has dealt with the setback, and also for his vast potential, with the 20-year-old described as the “future” of Everton.
That being said, the jet-heeled forward has been consigned to a bench role so far this season, with a niggling injury holding him back.
A 33-minute cameo against Huddersfield was his first outing of the term, and he is now ready to be unleashed by Silva as he looks to get his Premier League career back on track.
Walcott’s injury presents Silva with the perfect chance to do that, even if the former Arsenal man is deemed fit to start.
There is no point rushing him back if he is still in slight pain, with Lookman being a ready-made replacement, and one that is raring to impress.
The West Ham defence is also there for the taking, adding even more weight to the argument that Lookman should be unleashed on Sunday.