Why Donny van de Beek is not playing for Everton against West Ham United

Frank Lampard has been forced into a last minute change for today’s Premier League game at West Ham after Donny van de Beek picked up an injury in the warm up.

Van de Beek was originally one of five changes from the 4-0 FA Cup defeat at Crystal Palace, coming into a midfield two alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure, with Allan serving his one game ban for the red card against Newcastle.

But the Dutchman looked uncomfortable during the warm up at the London Stadium and made an early return to the dressing room where he was assessed.

And that assessment has come back with bad news as van de Beek has been deemed not fit to play and has been taken out of the squad entirely.

He is to be replaced by Mason Holgate, which could mean one of two things - either that Holgate will be asked to play in midfield or that Lampard will have to revert to a back-three at the last second.

Both options are far from ideal for Lampard and Everton who travel to London on the back of four successive Premier League defeats on the road.

They have also scored just once in their last five league games, forcing Lampard to shuffle the front four.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin made use of the international break to regain full fitness and will lead the line, with Richarlison, Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi to link up behind him.

Richarlison hasn’t scored for Everton since their 4-1 win over Brentford in the FA Cup - Lampard’s first game - but bagged three goals in two games for Brazil during the break.

Lampard was keen to alleviate the goalscoring pressure from Richarlison in the hope that it will help him flourish all round.

A win will take the Toffees six clear of 18th-placed Watford and provide a massive boost ahead of Wednesday’s crucial trip to Burnley.