Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is facing yet another period on the sidelines after suffering a facial injury during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat against Aston Villa.
Calvert-Lewin, aged 26, had to be substituted in the 38th minute following a collision with Aston Villa’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during an aerial challenge for the ball. The collision resulted in a bruised face for the striker, prompting the need for further assessment by Everton’s medical team this week.
Before he can return to action, Calvert-Lewin will have to adhere to the FA’s concussion protocols. His attempt to continue playing after the incident was visibly difficult, and he even faced disapproval from some of the club’s supporters as he left the pitch. In response, he offered a defiant thumbs-up gesture before making his way to the tunnel.
Although Everton’s manager, Sean Dyche, expressed initial hopes that the injury was minor, it appears that Calvert-Lewin’s condition is more severe than anticipated. This news comes as a blow to the forward, who struggled with injuries last season and only managed to score two goals throughout the campaign. Additionally, his goal-scoring record in the league has been modest, with just four goals since August 2021.
Calvert-Lewin’s fitness has been a concern, as he has completed a full 90 minutes on only four occasions since the start of the previous season, and he has accomplished this feat just once since January. This latest setback poses another challenge for the talented striker, who will now have to work towards a full recovery before returning to the pitch.
