'No issues': Frank Lampard says 25-year-old Everton player is not injured and is fit to play next game
Everton boss Frank Lampard has downplayed injury concerns relating to Mason Holgate who was seen limping in the closing stages of the West Ham game.
Naturally a centre-back, Holgate, who was originally on the bench against the Hammers came into the Toffees’ starting line-up to replace Donny van de Beek, who picked up a thigh injury in the warm up.
The 25-year-old played in defensive midfield and smashed home Everton’s equaliser at the London Stadium via a deflection.
However, a Jarrod Bowen strike ensured David Moyes’ Hammers clinched the three points with a 2-1 victory.
But with the Goodison Park side facing a pivotal trip to fellow strugglers Burnley on Wednesday, Lampard provided a positive fitness update on Holgate.
The former Chelsea boss said: “No problem. No issues.”
The former England midfielder praised Everton’s number four who was playing in midfield against Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek.
“Mason has played centre-back since I’ve been here and I asked him to go into midfield against Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, which is a different environment,” added the 43-year-old.
“I thought he did it really well and grew into the game. That is the character and personality we need.”
Following Michael Keane’s red card against the Irons, the former Burnley man will be suspended for the trip to his old stomping ground Turf Moor.
That could mean Holgate is reinstated in his favoured position at centre-back, but that could depend on van de Beek’s availability against the Clarets.
And with the likes of Allan, Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Andre Gomes absent in the capital, Holgate may have to continue to fill in at the base of Everton’s midfield.
