Everton manager Ronald Koeman has confirmed that West Ham United loanee Enner Valencia is set to get his first start of the season with the Goodison Park club.
The Hammers were ambitious in the transfer market over the course of the summer and added attackers to Slaven Bilic’s squad such as Simone Zaza, Andrew Ayew and Jonathan Calleri.
These deals meant that Valencia slipped down the pecking order at the London Stadium and was forced to look elsewhere to find regular first-team football.
The presence of Romelu Lukaku at the Merseyside club would suggest that the Ecuador international may have to bide his time if he is to play regularly, with potential that the South American is the Belgian deputy at the Toffees.
However, Koeman has confirmed that Valencia will get the nod to play against Norwich City in the midweek EFL Cup.
“Romelu is not available. He will have a rest. After two days he will be available,” The Telegraph quote the Dutchman as saying.
“Enner Valencia will start. It is always an opportunity for the players who did not play too much in the last weeks because we have not changed much. I am a manager who likes to keep the same players if they are doing well.”
In stark contrast to West Ham, Everton have started the new season well and are unbeaten after five games.
