'Problems that Frank doesn’t really need' - Ex-BBC man reacts as 'massive' Everton blow emerges

Noel Whelan has given his reaction to some Everton injury news that has now emerged on Andros Townsend.

Townsend was forced to come off early in the first half for Demarai Gray in the Goodison Park faithful’s 4-0 loss away at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last weekend.

Speaking to the media post-game, Frank Lampard admitted that his injury ‘looks bad‘, and revealed that he will now undergo scans in order to diagnose the problem.

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan, who has worked as a pundit for BBC Radio Leeds, has claimed that the latest injury news on Townsend is a ‘massive blow’:

“You need to have players who know the Premier League inside out.

“Townsend is one of those, he knows full well how to dig in and grind out results.

“That’s what teams have always needed, players with the mental strength and character to stick with it in the relegation fight and come up with solid performances to get points on the board.

“It’s a massive blow. It’s one less option for Lampard with time running out for him, and we know full well how Townsend can change a game on his day – he’s a brilliant player.

“These are problems that Frank doesn’t really need, but someone else is going to have to step up now and be the hero.”

It is certainly a blow for the Merseyside club to lose Townsend for what looks to be the majority of the run-in.

The winger has scored seven goals and made a further four assists in 27 games in total over all competitions so far this term (Transfermarkt) and having experienced relegation battles at the likes of QPR, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, the 30-year-old would no doubt be a key player over the next couple of months not just on the pitch, but off of it as well.

Nonetheless, Lampard will be biting his