Dominic Calvert-Lewin has opened up on his Everton injury problems this season and explained the impact Frank Lampard’s arrival has had on his side.
The England international has missed large chunks of the campaign after being a near ever present last season.
The striker was out for over four months with injury earlier in the season having found the net in each of his opening three Premier League matches this term.
Calvert-Lewin then returned from injury for the defeat to Brighton at the start of January, however he missed the loss to Man City at weekend due to an adductor problem.
And the forward has explained how he set himself 'unrealistic expectations' ahead of his return that would eventually lead to him struggling mentally with the demands he had set himself.
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"There was such a big emphasis on me coming back," Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports.
"The results not being great just made me want to return and help the team but I think I set unrealistic expectations of myself and that was difficult to deal with mentally."
Calvert-Lewin then continued: "Once upon a time I was not in that position so I see it as a privilege to have that expectation on my shoulders.
“Nobody expects more of me than myself. I believe I am capable of making a difference. But I am having to get fit and sharp on the pitch in Premier League games.
“You underestimate how long four or five months is to have out. You come back in the middle of a season and everyone else is up to speed. I underestimated how difficult it would be."
Calvert-Lewin’s first injury of the season came with his side joint-top of the table after an impressive start under Rafa Benitez.
However, by the time the 24-year-old returned, Benitez was fighting to keep his job, with his side just above the relegation drop zone.
But even the return of Calvert-Lewin couldn’t prevent Benitez from being sacked following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Frank Lampard was eventually appointed as Benitez’s successor, and Calvert-Lewin has explained how the former Chelsea boss has created a buzz again at the club.
He said: "I came back into the team when momentum was going against us but there is a buzz again now with the new manager here.
“When things go wrong continually it can create an atmosphere that is hard to shake off and a change is needed. I think that was needed. But I feel much fresher now and focused on what I can control."
Before Calvert-Lewin continued on Lampard: “He was someone I watched score every week. I was a goalscoring midfielder for a lot of my youth until I was 17.
“For a long time in my younger days that was the player who I thought I was going to be. I ended up being a centre-forward but I am just as excited to see what he can teach me.
“His aura is a massive thing. You cannot teach it but you know when someone has got it. He has come in with fresh eyes, fresh ideas. I am excited to start learning from him."
And while Calvert-Lewin’s immediate aim is to help transform the fortunes of his side, he also has his eyes set on the World Cup later this year.
"I want to be in that England squad and I want to be playing. I believe I am capable of doing that but I cannot do it unless I take care of what is in front of me,” he said.
“That means scoring goals and playing well for Everton. If I can do that, let's see where that takes me."
