Everton manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that Manchester United loanee Donny van de Beek will miss Wednesday's huge Premier League clash with Burnley because of a thigh injury.
The Dutchman, who joined the Toffees on loan for the remainder of the season in January, was forced to pull out of the warm-up ahead of Sunday's clash with West Ham United at the London Stadium. He had been named in the starting line-up to face David Moyes' side put pulled up ahead of the contest getting under way and was replaced by Mason Holgate.
Holgate scored after being handed a late starting berth but it was not enough to stop Lampard's side from falling to a 2-1 defeat. It means that they will head into the clash with Burnley just four points and two places ahead of them in the table.
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However, the Toffees will have to try and ease their relegation fears at Turf Moor without Van de Beek, with Lampard confirming that he has suffered a 'small grade thigh injury'. Although he is not fit, he would not have been available to face United at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime due to the terms of his loan deal.
Lampard, as quoted by Everton's club website, said: "Donny won't be fit. It's a small grade thigh injury which will make him fit [for the clash with Leicester City]. He [is ineligible] to play against Manchester United at the weekend, anyway."
Since joining the Merseysiders on loan, the former Ajax man has racked up six appearances, starting on five separate occasions. However, he has not featured in the last two games, meaning he has not recently been able to try and help the Goodison Park outfit ease their relegation fears.
Victory at Burnley would move Everton six points clear of danger. However, a defeat would leave both Watford and Burnley within touching distance of them.
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