Dominic Calvert-Lewin sustained a fractured cheekbone in yesterday’s defeat to Aston Villa and has been placed under the Football Association’s concussion protocol.
The striker, making his first appearance of the season after overcoming his latest hamstring issues, collided heavily with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the 10th minute at Villa Park and was eventually substituted 7 minutes before half-time with visible swelling and complaining of blurred vision in his right eye.
The FA’s guidelines would keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks but the injury itself is expected to keep him out for a few weeks in itself, after which he would probably have to wear a protective mask for a period after that to protect his cheek.
Calvert-Lewin has endured a miserable run with injuries over the past couple of years but looked to have finally reached the stage where he could be available for a consistent run in the team thanks to a patient rehabilitation programme over the summer.
His father, Karlda, took to social media yesterday to bemoan the fact that a section of Everton’s away fans at Villa Park booed as Calvert-Lewin left the field, expressing their frustration that he had been forced off with yet another injury.
“To see my son hurt like that brought me to tears again,” his dad wrote on Facebook. “It always will no matter what age he is. He’s now in hospital getting sorted.
“I hear the names he got called by his own ‘fans’ first-hand and what I will say is this: my son lives the dream daily like you wouldn’t believe and that won’t change, regardless of what some numpty in Stone Island gear shouts. Stay bitter fellas. Stay bitter.
“So it’s another little setback in a long list of setbacks but he’ll be alright. He always is.”