Everton latest news: 'The last thing Frank Lampard needs' amid mounting Toffees problem

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has suggested that Frank Lampard faces a tough test of his managerial credentials at Everton due to the number of injuries in the squad at the moment.

The former Chelsea boss took charge of his first league match in the Toffees’ dugout on Tuesday as his side slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle, while also losing two players due to fitness issues.

Having won his first match in the FA Cup against Brentford last weekend, Lampard’s opening Premier League game at the helm quickly turned into a nightmare.

Demarai Gray and Yerry Mina both had to be replaced inside the first 35 minutes after going down with injuries, and the latter has now been ruled out for 8-10 weeks, which is a huge blow for the side.

Everton still managed to take the lead thanks to a Jamaal Lascelles own goal, but Newcastle hit back immediately through another own goal, this time by Mason Holgate, before they went on to pick up all three points due to second half strikes from Ryan Fraser and Kieran Trippier.

Everton have also had to cope without last season’s top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin for long periods this term, and he remained on the substitutes’ bench on Tuesday, indicating that he is still some way short of his best condition.

O’Rourke believes that the club’s injury list is very unhelpful to Lampard, especially with his side just two points above the relegation zone.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “It’s all hands to the pump for Frank Lampard right now at Goodison Park. When you’re in a relegation dogfight, the last thing you need is injuries because you want to play your strongest team to try and get out of trouble.”

The Premier League outfit managed to add Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek to their ranks on deadline day last