Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has now sent a message to fans after being taken off through injury at Villa Park yesterday.
The £1.5m striker made his first Premier League start of the season after being left out of Sean Dyche’s squad for Everton’s opener against Fulham.
However, the 26-year-old’s return to Everton’s starting XI did not go according to plan, after a clash with Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez left the England international with what appeared to be a serious injury to his face.
After attempting to play on, the forward was withdrawn after 36 minutes and taken to hospital, where Calvert-Lewin received treatment, though the Everton player has said, ‘I’ll be back’.
Taking to Instagram, Calvert-Lewin posted a message to fans via his story, stating: “Didn’t expect to end up here. I’m sorry it wasn’t the return everyone was hoping for and no one is more frustrated than me.
It’s a sore one but I’ll be back shortly.”
Unfortunate Calvert-Lewin and Everton cannot catch a break
DCL managed just 90 minutes of pre-season football for Everton as the 26-year-old faced a race against time to be fit for the Blues.
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However, the England international’s misfortune continues, though Everton boss Sean Dyche confirmed during his post-match press conference that the forward did not suffer a concussion.
There was not so good news surrounding midfielder Alex Iwobi though, who also had to withdraw through injury at Villa Park, with the Nigerian potentially suffering a hamstring injury.
Dyche said: “Dom didn’t go off with concussion, he got a knock of the cheekbone and had a bit of blurred vision. We had to get that checked over properly.
Alex, we’re just waiting on that but it looks like a hamstring injury. Dom, we’re hoping it’s just a knock but with Alex, it’s unusual for hamstrings to settle down very quickly so he’s likely to be out.”
Hopefully Everton will see both players back in action very soon, but if investment in Dyche squad wasn’t a priority before, it must be now.