Moyes says Calvert-Lewin injury ‘not quite as bad as we first feared’

Everton have confirmed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be out of action for ‘a number of weeks’ after sustaining a hamstring injury, although David Moyes has offered some optimism.

The England international limped out of the 1-0 win at Brighton after just 12 minutes last weekend, replaced by Beto.

The 27-year-old had returned to goal-scoring form in the 3-2 win over Tottenham in the previous match, but he will now be out of action for a while.

A statement from the club read: ‘Calvert-Lewin sustained a hamstring injury in the 12th minute at Brighton which will require a specialist opinion and is likely to sideline the striker for a number of weeks.’

The Toffees also confirmed that on-loan midfielder Orel Mangala is out for the season with a serious knee problem.

The club statement continued: ‘Mangala sustained an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury late on during the Blues’ 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday that will sideline the on-loan midfielder for the rest of this season. The Belgian international will now see a specialist to determine the next step for his recovery.’

Moyes confirmed at a press conference on Friday that Mangala is now likely to return to Lyon, but did offer positivity on Calvert-Lewin.

‘Dom isn’t as bad [as Mangala], Dom doesn’t need any surgery, he’s been checked so from that point of view it’s not a good injury but it’s maybe not quite as bad as we first feared when he got it,’ he said.

‘So we’re hoping that might not be as long as maybe first expected.’

Asked if the forward will play again this season, Moyes said: ‘Absolutely, yeah.’

Despite the optimism, the Scot admitted that it is certainly bad news in what has been a good spell with back-to-back wins.

‘It’s an incredible big blow to us to lose two players for quite a long period, by the looks of it,’ he said. ‘But we have to go on, that’s what happens football clubs do get injuries and we have to find other ways of getting results and players stepping up and showing what they can do.’

Everton host Leicester on Saturday and will also be without Dwight McNeil, Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja, although Moyes did say a returning Timothy Iroegbunam could return to the squad.