Managerless Everton will be without Abdoualye Doucoure for at least four weeks, the club has confirmed this morning.
And the Blues have also revealed that Fabian Delph is also expected to be sidelined for the same period after picking up a thigh problem in training.
Doucoure was forced out of Everton's defeat to Aston Villa last weekend after 65 minutes with a groin issue.
And the club has now confirmed that the midfielder is likely to be out of action for a minimum of a month.
Everton face crunch matches with Newcastle United, Leeds United and Southampton in the coming weeks and their midfield options were already threadbare.
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Delph's injury nightmare goes on after a thigh problem in training means he is also expected to miss, at least, another four weeks.
The 32-year-old has not played for the club since December 12.