Everton have been dealt a definitive injury blow ahead of today’s Premier League meeting with AFC Bournemouth, their second game against them in a week.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, manager Frank Lampard confirmed that, after picking up an injury in the Toffees’ 2-0 defeat to Leicester City last week, Dominic Calvert-Lewin will once again be sidelined for their trip to face the Cherries.

Whilst his hamstring once again was the point of contention, he highlighted a dislocated shoulder that the English striker had been playing with as another issue that he would see a specialist over.

The 44-year-old did reveal that neither required surgery, stating:

“No, he won’t be involved… We hope that the break comes at a good time for him and we expect him back for Wolves on Boxing Day.”

A silver lining for Lampard

Whilst the loss of Calvert-Lewin will undoubtedly come as yet another blow for Lampard ahead of their final clash before the World Cup commences, there may be a silver lining in the form of 19-year-old hotshot Tom Cannon, who has been scoring for fun this season in the youth setup.

Handed his debut during the EFL Cup clash in midweek, his brief cameo saw him replace the wholly underwhelming Neal Maupay, who had touched the ball just 33 times and offered little goal threat due to his diminutive stature.

Standing nearly five inches taller than the Frenchman, immediately he would offer more of a physical presence.

Not to mention the fact that the Aintree-born ace is currently in fine form, whereas his competition only has one goal all season.

Meanwhile, the youngster has bagged nine times, assisted three, and even scored a brace to overcome Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Once labelled as “a goalscorer” who “doesn’t hide” by ex-U18 boss Paul Tait - who is now in charge of the U21s - perhaps he might provide a better option to Maupay, who coincidentally has gone missing in recent games whilst deputising for Calvert-Lewin.

He could hardly do worse than the former Brighton and Hove Albion marksman, who has struggled since making the move to Merseyside.

 Although the injury to their star striker may be unfortunate, it hardly comes as a surprise given his record. At least now it might see a first start for Cannon, whose early-season form has more than merited some increased first-team action.