Rafa Benitez says Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and left-back Lucas Digne are available for the Blues’ Premier League clash with Norwich City on Saturday (3pm BST).

Pickford has missed Everton’s past two matches with a shoulder injury but is set to return for the game at Goodison Park.

Digne, meanwhile, was withdrawn 10 minutes from time in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie at QPR after sustaining a minor calf problem – but he has recovered and is expected to play against Norwich.

Andre Gomes will miss the game, however, having picked up also suffered a calf injury in the QPR game.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Benitez confirmed Seamus Coleman (hamstring), Richarlison (knee) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (quadriceps) remain out. He added he is “almost 100-per-cent sure” the trio will not be available to feature for their countries in the upcoming international break, which begins following the Blues’ away trip to Manchester United on Saturday 2 October.

Jean-Philippe Gbamin (quadriceps) and Fabian Delph (shoulder) also remain sidelined for Everton.

Benitez said: "Jordan Pickford is okay, he has been training and Lucas [Digne] is okay. 

“The others are getting better but remain out."

Injured strike duo Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin scored 23 of Everton’s 47 Premier League goals last season – but Benitez insists the Blues boast the collective quality to continue posing a potent attacking threat in their absence.

And he is convinced deadline-day signing Salomon Rondon’s performances will significantly improve as he approaches peak fitness. 

“We need goals from everyone,” the Everton manager said.

“The wingers, Rondon, the defenders if necessary…we have to be sure that all the players who can be there in the final third are capable of scoring goals.

“We have done this [so far this season] with different players."

On Rondon, he added: “It is a question of time for him. 

“Nobody can be four months without playing football – training at home because of the Covid [restrictions] – and after be expecting him to score three goals in every game.

“He has to improve his fitness. He was great for us at Newcastle and with Dalian in China.

“It is just a question of time, and he will also give us goals. 

“He is training really well. His commitment and his passion is there. You can see he is fighting in every game. 

“It is impossible to have match fitness after four months without playing – you need some time and he will do well.”