James Tarkowski has backed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to recapture his goal scoring form.
Calvert-Lewin endured a 13th consecutive outing without finding the target as Everton were held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
The striker enjoyed argubly the best chance for Sean Dyche’s side in the encounter but failed to properly test Emiliano Martinez with an attempt late in the first-half.
Tarkowski, however, believes that Calvert-Lewin will eventually banish his currently meagre return of just one goal in 15 previous appearances for the Blues this season.
He said: “He wants to score goals more than anyone else, and we all know that.
“But he is a really important player for us, and he understands that. He does a lot of work that maybe goes unnoticed.
“The goals will come and I know they will. I have told him that already, and he knows that.
“It is just about back out on that pitch and getting a goal.”
Calvert-Lewin’s tribulations have prompted speculation of a loss in confidence – something that Tarkowski firmly refuted after the stalemate with the Villains.
He added: “I don’t see that. When he is going through, I expect him to score, and I know he does.
“Maybe once he misses, everyone is like, ‘He looks a little low on confidence’.
“[But] he is working ever so hard, and as I have said, he is an important player for us, and he knows that.”
The centre-back also paid tribute to Seamus Coleman after the Everton captain set a club record by making his 355th Premier League appearance against the visitors.
“He’s incredible, honestly,” said Tarkowski.
““What he has done for this football club, and what he is continuing to do, is just incredible.
“To play the way he did again and the amount of appearances he has got at the top of the game is just admirable.
“All the fans and players know what an important person he is to the football club.
“It is a nice little moment for him.”