Romelu Lukaku is facing "weeks rather than
months" out of action with an ankle injury, Everton manager Roberto
Martinez has revealed.
The on-loan Chelsea striker left Anfield on Tuesday with
his foot in a cast after being withdrawn just 25 minutes into the Merseyside
derby, which Liverpool won 4-0.
Initial reports suggested that the 20-year-old had
damaged ankle ligaments and Everton fans feared the worst a matter of days
after left-back Bryan Oviedo suffered a double leg break.
However, Martinez has delivered a positive update on
Lukaku's injury.
"There is no ligament damage and the injury is not
as bad as we first thought," Martinez told the club's official website.
"It will be a case of weeks rather than
months."
The loss of Lukaku – who has scored nine goals in 19
Premier League appearances since moving to Goodison Park in September – is an
undoubted blow to Everton's top-four hopes, which were seriously undermined by
Liverpool.
Lukaku is Everton's top scorer, although he has failed to
find the net in his last six games in all competitions.
Culled from Soccerway
