Frank Lampard has confirmed that Nathan Patterson will be out for at least six weeks with a medial ligament knee injury.
The Scotland international limped off as Everton were defeated by Brighton in midweek.
Patterson has suffered rotten luck with injuries since moving to Goodison Park, and Lampard admits it is a huge blow to lose his defender.
“It’s a blow, a freak one in terms of how he did the injury,” he said. “It’s a big blow. He’s a young full-back. He’s come in, broken through and done well for us.
“It’s time for others to step up to that mantle. Six weeks sounds a long time but he’ll be back.”
The Everton boss also said there would be money to spend in January, with a focus on attacking players.
“Both options are on the table in terms of loan or buying players,” he said. “I’m not going to sit and talk about finances because I can’t give you the detail.
“We want to improve the squad in January but my job is to work with the players we’ve got.”
Under-pressure boss Lampard has insisted he would never seek reassurances over his position as he declined to disclose the nature of “private conversations” he has had with the club hierarchy this week.
Everton sit 18th in the table after losing 4-1 at home to Brighton this week, and although Friday’s fixture away to Manchester United brings a different focus in the FA Cup, there remains a febrile mood amongst fans.
“I’ve never and would never seek reassurances,” Lampard said. “It’s part of my job to focus on the job in hand, day to day, game to game. I don’t need reassurances. I come to work to try to improve a bit every day – myself, the team, the squad and everything.
“I’m not hunting around for any reassurances.”
“When you’re in and around this area that’s the reality,” he said. “If we win the next league game we’ll be out of the bottom three probably. It’s part of the process.
“I’m very aware of what I came in to do in this job. I want to be a success at this club. Any challenges that come along then I’ll take them on and actually enjoy them.
“I enjoy working for this club, it’s a real honour for me. That’s why I say I don’t need reassurances. I’m a big man working for a great club and I’ll keep doing it.”
