Frank Lampard confirms Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be out of action for SIX weeks

Frank Lampard has confirmed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be out of action for six weeks after suffering a knee injury in training recently.

The news comes as a massive blow for Lampard and the Toffees, who are preparing to face Chelsea in their Premier League season opener this Saturday.

Yesterday, reports noted that Calvert-Lewin was absent from training and now Lampard has come forward to address the ‘crazy rumours’ surrounding his injury. 

Everton’s Frank Lampard faces a selection dilemma ahead of opening game against Chelsea

Speaking at his press conference, the Everton boss said: ‘Losing a player like Dominic, his quality, going into the first game is obviously going to effect you.

‘I think we’re looking at around six weeks for the injury. I saw a lot of crazy rumours yesterday but he’s been assessed over a couple of days and that’s where we’re at. 

‘It comes with the territory of having a squad and training at this level and we’ll have to work around it. Other players will have to step up and do the job – and hopefully that six weeks will pass relatively quickly and we get Dominic back.’

The English international suffered a similar injury at the start of the previous season

The England international also suffered an injury at the start of last season – with some thinking that the two incidents may be linked.

Lampard refuted this, as he said: ‘No. Dom was looking great, really fit and really strong. 

‘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.’

Lampard said he and his staff were very impressed with Calvert-Lewin’s pre-season training

Having sold Richarlison to Tottenham, Calvert-Lewin’s absence will arrive as a huge concern to Lampard ahead of the new season and their league opener against Chelsea.

It also leaves the centre forward with a uphill battle to make Gareth Southgate’s England squad.

Calvert-Lewin knew he had to start the season impressively to break back into the England party ahead of the World Cup in November.

But the prospect of missing the opening weeks of the season and England’s September internationals leaves the 25-year-old’s hopes of going to Qatar firmly in the balance. 

Richarlison’s move to Spurs means Everton are short staffed in attack following the injury