Everton manager Frank Lampard has issued an injury update on striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, confirming that the striker will be sidelined for around six weeks.
Lampard said: "Losing a player like Dominic, of his quality, going into the first game is obviously going to affect you. I think we're probably looking at around six weeks with the injury.
"I saw a lot of crazy rumours yesterday but it's been assessed over a couple of days and that's where we're at. It comes with the territory of having a squad and training at this level and we've got to work around it.
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"Other players will have to step up and do the job and hopefully the six weeks passes relatively quickly and we get Dominic back."
The Blues boss had previously admitted that his number nine would miss Saturday’s opening fixture of the Premier League season at home to Chelsea on Saturday evening due to a problem with the outside of his knee. Calvert-Lewin netted 21 goals in all competitions during 2020/21 but spent four months out between September and December last term with a quadriceps injury before returning to fitness and ultimately scoring the goal that secured Everton’s top flight status as he headed the winner in their 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace in their final home game.
Lampard insisted the problem was not related to the injuries that Calvert-Lewin suffered last season though. He said: "Dominic was looking great, really fit, really strong. I'd taken him out of one pre-season game as a precaution but through pre-season we were constantly commenting on how good he seemed, it was very positive. It's a knock for everybody, particularly him because like any player, you're getting pumped up, ready for a new season and you miss a game.
"l feel for him but we'll support him like we always do, and as a team, as a squad, we have to look at the games in front of us."
Lampard also offered injury updates on several other first team players and said that Yerry Mina was fit, Asmir Begovic was "just about" fit, Seamus Coleman was fit but having a run-out for the Under-21s tomorrow with Allan also fit-again but in need of match minutes. Tom Davies should be back next week while Andre Gomes is still a week or two away.
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