Carlo Ancelotti says Everton must play “an intelligent game” against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday (12pm) as the Blues target a victory that would move them to within four points of the sixth-placed Midlands club.

The Italian also hailed the “character and quality” of Everton attacker Richarlison after he hit his 12th Premier League goal of the season in Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Southampton - and revealed his confidence Dominic Calvert-Lewin will soon hit the goal trail again.

Everton have won seven and drawn five of their 16 Premier League matches since Ancelotti’s appointment in December.

The former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager acknowledged his team face a difficult test on Sunday – highlighting Wolves' collective ability as well as a relentless top-flight schedule that will see Everton contest their third match in seven days.

“As we are probably not physically 100 per cent, we have to play an intelligent game,” said Ancelotti, who was speaking at his pre-match press conference at USM Finch Farm.

“We have to be focused. We have to play well offensively and defensively.

“Defensively, we have to do better than in the first half against Southampton.

“We have to be intelligent to manage the situation of the game well.

“It will be tough, for sure. They are fighting for Europe but we have to keep going until the end of the season.

“The fact they played on Wednesday so have one more day [to recover] is important.

“I have to take care of the line-up because I want to put in fresh players, and I might think about making some changes.”

Richarlison made his 70th Everton start in the Blues’ clash with Southampton, with his expertly-taken goal the 22-year-old’s 28th for the Club.

Since joining Everton from Watford in the summer of 2018, he has emerged as one of Everton’s key performers and established himself as a regular in the Brazil national team.

Ancelotti believes Richarlison will continue on his upward trajectory – citing the explosive striker’s youth, attitude and range of skills.

“I think Richarlison is a fantastic player,” he said.

“He is still young, but he has a lot of quality, a lot of character. He is really cold in front of goal.

“We are really happy to have this type of striker. He is really calm when he gets an opportunity.

“I think he is going to improve. With experience, with more knowledge he can improve his qualities. He is a complete striker – comfortable in the box, outside the box, on the counter-attack.

“He can play on the left, on the right, or in the centre. He is a really good player for us.

“He is young still but I think 20 goals per season is the minimum I would expect [in the coming years].”

Richarlison’s strike partner, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, hit eight goals in Ancelotti’s first 10 top-flight games as Everton manager.

He has yet to register since the Premier League restart but Ancelotti explained how retaining a positive mindset will ensure the 23-year-old is soon on the scoresheet.

“He cannot think when he goes on the pitch, he has to score goals, because this can be an obsession,” he said.

“He has to be calm, and the goals will come.”

Teenage forward Anthony Gordon, meanwhile, has featured in every Everton game since the resumption of competitive football.

Ancelotti says he seen the Academy graduate progress significantly during his six months as Blues boss.

“He has improved,” he said.

“The fact he is playing means he is doing well – he is really focused and he has quality.

“The fact he is on the pitch means he is an important player for us and will be an important player for the future.”