Everton manager Frank Lampard has stated that he held talks with England manager Gareth Southgate over the fitness of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
The goalkeeper damaged his thigh during his outstanding performance in his side’s goalless draw with Liverpool two weeks ago and will not play any part in England’s Nations League fixtures against Italy and Germany. But Lampard has assured Pickford that he will be fit for the World Cup despite his being eager to join up with the England squad for their upcoming friendlies.
According to the Everton coach, the club’s medical staff have been discussing the England number one’s rehabilitation programme with the Football Association and, as things stand, he is due to come back in the side against either Southampton, on October 1, or Manchester United the following week.
Speaking about the situation of the goalkeeper to pressmen, Lampard revealed the ongoing deliberations with the FA and the medical staff at Goodison Park.
“‘I’ll be honest – Jordan would go and play on one quad for England in a friendly next week,” Lampard said.
“We have to be sure that we do the right thing. I’ve spoken to Gareth and our physios, and England’s physios are in conjunction together, making sure we do the right thing for Jordan.
“And the right thing for Jordan is the right thing for Everton and England. Hopefully, it will be in the next two or three weeks and he will be back. It’s as simple as that. We wouldn’t take any risks with him. If we did, it would affect our batch of games up to the winter break.”
Lampard also revealed that Everton are being careful about rushing Pickford back to the squad too soon to prevent him from suffering a setback that could potentially rule him out of the England squad.
“If you were to re-injure the quad, it would obviously affect his run-up to the World Cup,” said the Everton manager.
“So we are being very careful with that. We are working with Jordan and England. I learnt as a player the negatives of coming back too early.
“I re-injured my quad a few times, trying to push my physio to get me back quicker. I’m now more experienced, so I can be on the other hand and make sure he does it in the right way.
“The experts are the physios. He’s keen, but he is very mature. He wants to play, but we will find the right way.”
Lampard also confirmed that talks are ongoing with Pickford’s representatives over securing a new long-term deal. He also revealed that the Toffees are in discussions with Anthony Gordon about a deal to keep him at the club following persistent interest from Chelsea.
“It’s something we want to do,’ said Lampard. ‘We want to get the right solution.”
