Everton boss Frank Lampard says Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to return to training next week and is “ahead of schedule” in his recovery from a knee injury, as he revealed Tom Davies could be in contention for Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

Lampard explained Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to be ready for next weekend’s Merseyside derby but could be back for the Blues’ trip to Arsenal on 11 September.

Davies sustained a minor groin issue during the warm-up ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win at Fleetwood Town, but Lampard says he is hopeful the midfielder could feature on Saturday.

Ben Godfrey (fibula), Abdoulaye Doucoure (hamstring), Andre Gomes, Yerry Mina (ankle) and Andros Townsend (ACL) remain out for Everton.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm, Lampard said: "Dominic Calvert-Lewin will train next week. I think he is slightly ahead of schedule.

"We must be calm, because we can’t push him at this stage. He is working really hard and with great focus out on the grass.

"If he trains in the middle of next week, will it make him available for the Liverpool game? That will be tough. But hopefully we can start looking at the games after that, if all goes according to plan.

"Tom Davies we hope is in contention [for the Brentford match]. He had a small feeling in his groin in the warm-up before Fleetwood – he pulled out of that game but hopefully he’s in the squad for Saturday,

"Other than that, we’re pretty much where we were going into the Fleetwood game.

"We got some good minutes into some players on Tuesday, either those returning from injury or lacking fitness and game time, so that was a big bonus."

Summer signing Amadou Onana made his first Everton start in the Carabao Cup tie and completed the full game.

Lampard was encouraged by the 21-year-old’s performance and outlined why he will benefit from the experience of taking on an energetic and aggressive Fleetwood outfit.

“Amadou felt his way into the game,” he said.

“He took a lot of kicks, which will be good for him, to feel the power and the physicality of what English football is all about. I thought he really grew into it. It was a very mature start for a player his age.

“He’s only going to get better. He’s a young player and we must have patience with him, because he’s a player for now and the future.

“Also, he needs fitness – base fitness – so that [Tuesday’s game] was a big plus.”