Football: Everton allay fears over Lukaku injury

Everton's Romelu Lukaku is stretchered off the pitch during during their English Premier League football match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England on Jan 28, 2014. Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will be unavailable for "weeks r
Everton's Romelu Lukaku is stretchered off the pitch during during their English Premier League football match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, northern England on Jan 28, 2014. Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will be unavailable for "weeks rather than months" after injuring his ankle in his side's 4-0 loss at Liverpool, manager Roberto Martinez revealed on Wednesday. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON (AFP) - Everton striker Romelu Lukaku will be unavailable for "weeks rather than months" after injuring his ankle in his side's 4-0 loss at Liverpool, manager Roberto Martinez revealed on Wednesday.

Lukaku was stretchered off after colliding with teammate Gareth Barry as Steven Gerrard headed Liverpool in front in the 21st minute of Tuesday's derby at Anfield.

Martinez expressed concern about the extent of the injury after the game, saying "it does not look good", but he was able to offer a more positive prognosis on Wednesday.

"There is no ligament damage and the injury is not as bad as we first thought," he told the Everton website. "It will be a case of weeks rather than months."

Lukaku, 20, has scored nine goals in 20 games for Everton since signing on loan from Chelsea last year.

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