Everton fear striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will miss the opening weeks of the season after suffering a suspected knee injury in training.
In news that will come as a major blow to Toffees boss Frank Lampard and Calvert-Lewin’s hopes of making England’s BBC World News Today Cup squad, the striker is set to miss the opening weeks of the season.
Calvert-Lewin will continue to be assessed but the initial concern is that the striker will miss the opening four to six weeks, though it remains to be seen if further tests find more damage.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could miss four to six weeks with a knee injury
It could leave Frank Lampard without a recognised striker against Chelsea this weekend
There is confidence he has not suffered a serious cruciate injury, nevertheless Everton expect Calvert-Lewin to miss a significant period.
Having sold Richarlison to Tottenham, Calvert-Lewin’s absence will arrive as a huge concern to Lampard ahead of the new season.
It also leaves the centre forward with a uphill battle to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Calvert-Lewin knew he had to start the season impressively to break back into the England party ahead of the World Cup in November.
But the prospect of missing the opening weeks of the season and England’s September internationals leaves the 25-year-old’s hopes of going to Qatar firmly in the balance.
Everton sold Richarlison to Tottenham earlier this summer in a deal worth £60million
Toffees boss Lampard said: ‘We are assessing Dom’s injury.No timeframe has been confirmed and we are pretty sure what level it is so we are hopeful it is not long-term.
‘We’ll miss him for Chelsea. He was looking in great physical condition and was training really well. It was a freak injury in training, which does happen.
‘It’s a shame but we have to find the solutions to keep ourselves strong without Dominic before he returns.’
Back-up striker Salomon Rondon is suspended after a red card against Brentford back in May
Calvert-Lewin suffered an injury-plagued campaign last year following a promising start, in which he scored in each of the opening three games of the season.
The striker would only go on to make 15 starts in the league throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
He didn’t score another goal all season in the league until their 3-2 defeat to Brentford in May, before adding another in their important 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace that secured their Premier League survival.
