Dominic Calvert-Lewin in 'freak' injury blow for Everton

Everton have been dealt a major blow ahead of the new Premier League season after manager Frank Lampard revealed Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be sidelined for six weeks.

The 25-year-old England striker sustained what Lampard called a “freak” knee injury in training ahead of Everton’s fixture against Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Calvert-Lewin’s injury leaves Lampard short on options up front after Richarlison was sold to Tottenham, while Salomon Rondon is suspended for the visit of the manager's former club.

“Losing a player of Dominic’s quality in the week going into the first game is obviously going to affect you,” said Lampard.

“We are probably looking at around six weeks for the injury. It has been assessed over a couple of days and that is where we are at.

“It comes with the territory of having a squad and training at this level. We will have to work around it.

“Other players will have to step up and do the job and hopefully that six weeks passes relatively quickly and we get Dominic back.”

Calvert-Lewin missed four months of last season with a persistent muscle injury and was restricted to just 17 Premier League appearances, scoring five times.

Lampard added: “Dominic was looking great, really fit, really strong.

Everton's Mason Holgate celebrates the goal by fan Paul Stratton during the friendly against Dynamo Kyiv at Goodison Park, Liverpool, on Friday July 29, 2022. PA

“I took him out of one pre-season game as a precaution but through pre-season we were constantly commenting on how good he looked, seemed, and we were very positive.

“It is a knock for everybody, particularly him, because I know the feeling as a player when you are getting pumped up and ready for the new season.

“I feel for him, but we will