Everton boss Sean Dyche shares Dominic Calvert-Lewin transfer plan

Sean Dyche has firmly dismissed the idea of offloading Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the January transfer window, despite the risk of losing him for free in the summer.

Calvert-Lewin has resisted Everton's attempts to secure a new contract and it appears that the former England striker is set to depart on a free transfer come July.

While Everton could potentially cash in on him in January, Dyche insists that maintaining their Premier League status is the ultimate goal this season.

Everton, who have been a constant presence in the top flight since 1954, are determined to avoid relegation ahead of their relocation to the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

"I think the bigger prize in this case is Premier League football for Everton Football Club," Dyche declared.

He added: "You know when I came in it was like you need to safeguard what we're doing, so that's the No 1 priority.

"Along that journey and timeline we've had to obviously bring money in. That's been quite apparent and spend less and bring more in, lower the wages of course.

"But to be giving players away at any cost because you need some money, fortunately we've never been pushed that far and that's still the same now.

"We can still make decisions on situations and I can't see anything other than him being here certainly until the end of his contract and then hopefully beyond. We'll see."

Calvert-Lewin, 27, who has netted twice in eight appearances this season, saw a potential summer switch to Newcastle fall through.

Despite the anticipated completion of American billionaire Dan Friedkin's takeover in December, he is keen to keep his options open, a stance that Blues boss Dyche understands.

"Maybe that's up for him to decide," suggested Dyche. "Maybe it's his agent, saying wait and see. I don't know, and that would be fair, wouldn't it?

"He might be thinking, 'which way is the club going? Which way am I going? What's my part in it?' I don't think that would be unreasonable."

Calvert-Lewin, now in his ninth season with Everton, will spearhead their attack against Fulham tonight, and Dyche dismissed any suggestion of sidelining him due to his uncertain future.

"I don't do that," he asserted. "Get the shirt on, play hard, those are the rules. All the rest of it will look after itself."