Everton striker Calvert-Lewin to miss Premier League opener against Chelsea with knee injury

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be absent from his side’s Premier League opener against Chelsea after suffering a knee injury in training.

The England international spent much of last season on the sidelines but returned to the squad for the final four league games, in which he scored two goals to help keep Everton in the top flight.

But the 25-year-old will now be back in the treatment room at Finch Farm after sustaining an injury to his knee on Tuesday.

Everton will be keen for Calvert-Lewin to return as soon as possible, in the hope he can return to the form that saw him score 16 goals in 33 league appearances in the 2020-21 campaign.

Toffees boss Frank Lampard told reporters: “We are assessing Dom’s injury. No timeframe has been confirmed and we are pretty sure what level it is, so we are hopeful it is not long-term.

“We’ll miss him for Chelsea. He was looking in great physical condition and was training really well. It was a freak injury in training, which does happen.

“It’s a shame but we have to find the solutions to keep ourselves strong without Dominic before he returns.”