Paul Joyce: Ben Godfrey out until March, Calvert-Lewin in Everton squad to face Newcastle
Frank Lampard expects Ben Godfrey to be out of action for ‘4-5 weeks’, but is hopeful that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be available for Everton against Newcastle, as shared by Paul Joyce.
The England striker missed the FA Cup win over Brentford with a minor knock, but Lampard has confirmed the striker is available to play in his first Premier League game as manager.
Ben Godfrey has been ruled out until March with a hamstring tear picked up against Brentford the club have confirmed. Lampard said he will be out for ‘four or five weeks’, as reported by Joyce on his personal Twitter account.
Dele Alli and Donny Van de Beek are available to make their debuts in the game after being cup-tied at the weekend.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been training with the team and is in the squad for the game against Newcastle, but Abdoulaye Doucoure is still ‘three or four weeks away’.
Options
It’s about time Everton had some real options to pick from for their starting lineup and thankfully they’ve fallen to Frank Lampard.
The new man in charge set the tone for his tenure with an excellent display at Goodison Park in the FA Cup win over Brentford, with fast-paced, energetic, attacking football.
With more options to pick from for his team now, it will be interesting if he chooses to adopt a similar approach or instead tries to switch it up a bit with the addition of new players.
All of Dele, Van de Beek and Calvert-Lewin will be expected to start and if a similar level of performance can’t be maintained from the weekend then questions will immediately be raised.
Both teams need a win to try and get out of the relegation battle they find themselves in, so an entertaining game awaits.
In other Everton news, View: Everton predicted XI vs Newcastle – Two debuts, changes up front?