LONDON: Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has had good news after concerns about the severity of an ankle injury which forced his substitution early in the 4-0 defeat by Liverpool.

Manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed the striker, who aims to lead Belgium’s attack at the World Cup finals in Brazil, will be out for “weeks rather than months.”

Lukaku was carried off on a stretcher after colliding with team-mate Gareth Barry as they tried to prevent Steven Gerrard scoring the first goal in the 21st minute.

Martinez added: “There is no ligament damage and the injury is not as bad as we first thought.”

Lukaku has scored nine goals in 20 appearances since joining on loan from Chelsea in the summer.

He joins the likes of Bryan Oviedo (broken leg), Arouna Kone and Darron Gibson (both knee) and Seamus Coleman and Sylvain Distin (both hamstring) on the injury list.

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