Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will need to be 'assessed' ahead of the crunch relegation clash with Newcastle United, according to Frank Lampard. The Toffees boss also confirmed Fabian Delph and Yerry Mina will both be unavailable for the Thursday night encounter at Goodison Park.
Eddie Howe's side could move 12 points clear of the relegation zone with a successful result on Merseyside, and emerged victorious in the reverse fixture last month. Everton remain clear of the bottom three only on goal difference, and suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves on Sunday.
Asked for an injury and illness update, Lampard told the Liverpool Echo: "Delph we’re hoping the other side of the international break. With a bit of luck we’ll integrate him into training during that period.
"Mina is still a few weeks away at best. So that one is slightly parked but he’s working very, very hard. It’s good to see. Dom trained lightly yesterday (Tuesday) on the back of not feeling great. We'll see how he is this afternoon and then look toward the squad for tomorrow.
"Anyone who’s had that sort of thing (illness), when it’s your profession to be on the edge and the limit physically, that’s why we have to assess it closely."
Calvert-Lewin has endured an injury-plagued campaign to date, having made a flying start with three goals in his first three matches. The England international scored 21 times last season, and Lampard admits the team need their striker back sooner rather than later.
The Everton boss added: "It's frustrating because he's a top player and a really good lad. He wants to play and get back to the form he’s been at over the last couple of seasons, when he’s been prolific in the Premier League. It’s not easy with injuries, coming back and then there’s another one.
"I walked into that situation. So my main thing with Dominic is, help him in that sense because he wants to do it, and also practically on the pitch because he wants to get fitter and stronger because he’s had these setbacks.
"That’s so important to us because the way we want to play, and what we demand off a striker is a lot. It’s not just goals, it’s everything with and without the ball.
"He'll need that little period of time getting fit, but we haven't got loads of time. We need him soon."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
