Joe Cole and Ian Wright say same thing about what needs to happen with Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton

Frank Lampard should give Dominic Calvert-Lewin the platform he needs to win Everton's relegation battle, according Ian Wright and Joe Cole.

Calvert-Lewin has been hampered by injury this season, making only 11 appearances and scoring three times, but his goal threat is considering vital by the pair of pundits to keeping the Blues in the top flight.

It was a different story last season when the 25-year-old striker plundered 21 goals and ex-England international Cole, a former team-mate of new Everton manager Lampard, believes he just requires a succession of matches to get firing again.

Cole told ITV Sport: "He needs a run of games. I watched this kid, this time last year, win a ball and get on the end of his own flick on and score a goal. That’s when his body was feeling good and he was flowing. His career since then has been stop-start. But he’s a threat. They need to get into the box for him.”

Former Arsenal hero Wright agreed. He said: “They need to get the ball into the box for him, but at the same time, he needs to get a consistent run of games going. The way he plays... get the ball into him, so he can get a run of games, get the goals and get going again. Frank (Lampard) has to protect this guy. If they are to stay up Everton, then he has to do it for him.”

Everton's position in the Premier League could hardly be more precarious. They sit three points above the relegation zone, but crucially have two games in hand on Watford and Norwich City below them. However, Burnley have played the same amount of games.

Lampard's side travel to West Ham United next on April 3, before enduring a crunch clash with the Clarets at Turf Moor three days later. The Blues will be desperate to pick up some vital points out of these