Friday 9 September 2016 16:19, UK
Ronald Koeman says Everton striker Romelu Lukaku is close to regaining his best form following 'a difficult pre-season'.
Lukaku, the club's leading scorer in each of the last three campaigns, has not netted in his last 13 matches for the Toffees, but did grab a brace of goals when playing for Belgium in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
And the Everton manager is confident it won't be long before the 23-year-old starts banging in goals again for the Blues.
Speaking ahead of the Premier League trip to Sunderland on Monday Night Football, Koeman said: "I expect a lot from him.
"He is a very good player and knows that he can improve. Of course, he is an important player because he is normally the top scorer of the team. He showed that with Belgium on Tuesday.
"Always strikers need goals for their confidence. But don't forget he had a difficult pre-season, coming back late to Everton after the Euros.
"I think now he is close to his best performance level and we will see that."
The Dutchman also said the arrival of Enner Valencia on loan from West Ham has given the team 'more options'.
The 26-year-old from Ecuador moved to Goodison Park on Deadline Day and Koeman added: "Valencia was interested in coming to Everton, we were interested in him and already, earlier on, he was one of the options to get in a new front player.
"We know he can play like a nine, or behind a striker. We have different options with Enner, and that is good to have.
"He will bring that competition that all players need. Now, including Valencia, we have seven players for the three front positions in the team, and you need that - it is a long and difficult season.
"They need to give competition and the best ones in my opinion will start. They need to accept that and fight for the best chance to play."
