David Moyes has warned Thierno Barry that he isn’t guaranteed to start for Everton.
Barry was previously Moyes’ preferred option to lead the line until he was replaced by attacking cohort Beto, who enjoyed a resurgent vein of goal scoring form.
But the Guinea-Bissau international was taken off during last weekend’s Merseyside derby with a concussion which has ruled him out of Saturday’s trip to West Ham.
Moyes, however, insists that Barry has room for improvement and cast doubt that he will be the automatic choice to replace Beto for the Blues at the London Stadium.
Asked on Friday whether the former France under-21 striker would be in contention, Moyes replied: “If I choose to play him.
“I have other people who I think can do it and I could consider that.
“I’m not going to tell you Graeme Sharp is getting himself ready, so there you go you can write that.”
The Everton manager has also ruled out academy prospect Braiden Graham having any late-season involvement despite his blistering form at developmental level.
The 18-year-old was previously included in the match day squads for a late December trip to Nottingham Forest and the FA Cup third round exit to Sunderland.
Moyes added: “Everybody wants good young players to come through and I’m pleased that Braiden’s doing well. I think he’s got a bit to go before he’s at our level.
“I’m really pleased, and if he does that, he will get more noticed and probably get more chances of being seen in pre-season than he would do now.”