Rafa Benitez lifts lid on potential Newcastle return and gives Everton injury update on Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Rafa Benitez has spoken to the media ahead of Everton’s Premier League clash against West Ham at Goodison Park on Sunday (14.00 BST).

Here are the key talking points from the Toffees boss’ pre-match press conference.

Newcastle speculation

Following Newcastle’s Saudi Arabia-led takeover, Benitez has been linked with a return.

He spent three years at the St James’ Park helm and is adored by fans in the north east.

However, Benitez declared he was never interested heading back to Newcastle.

He said: “I have a very good relationship with the Newcastle United fans, the city and everyone and it's not fair for me to talk about that.

“I'm Everton manager now, I'm focused on that and I wish them all the best.

“I prefer to stay away from that and wish them all the best.

“I can tell you I have a lot of friends and they were asking me the same question.

“But from day one, I was talking to the board here and they did not need to worry about that as I decided to stay.

“I'm really happy and trying to improve everything I can here and focus.

“When I decided to stay here, I keep my word and continue to work here.”

Injury update

Benitez will again be without strike duo Richarlison (knee) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin against West Ham.

It means Salomon Rondon will lead the line for a fifth successive game against the Hammers.

However, Lucas Digne has been given the green light after returning from France duty early with a hamstring problem.

Seamus Coleman will also come back following a similar setback that’s kept him out of the past four games.

Andre Gomes (calf) and Fabian Delph (shoulder) remain absent.

Benitez said: “Lucas is fine, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are closer but will not be available.

“Yerry [Mina] is coming back [from international duty with Colombia]. He's been playing a lot of minutes but is now travelling. Hopefully, he will be here.

“Everything is possible in terms of the feedback but we will have to see how he feels.

“He is following protocol to make sure he's available.

“They're [Gomes and Delph] still working and trying to be ready as soon as possible but are still not available.”

Target for the season

Everton sit fifth in the table, garnering 14 points from seven games so far.

Benitez has refused to set a target where he wants the Blues to finish this season - but wants to show ambition.

He added “I want to compete for something. I said so many times, you have owners with ambition, fans with ambition and a new stadium.

“We cannot be comfortable in the middle, we have to fight to be as high as possible.

“I want us to be as high as possible and play in Europe and even higher than belief.

“I don't have a target but need to make sure we can compete and be as high as possible.”