Manchester City loanee Jack Grealish could miss the remainder of the season with Everton expecting him to require surgery.
Grealish had two goals and six assists in 20 Premier League appearances this season for the Toffees.
Everton Boss David Moyes said today: “We believe he is probably going to need surgery but that’s still not absolutely confirmed, but it probably rules him out for the rest of the season, yes.
“It’s really disappointing for the player, as for the club and all of us here because he’s such an important part, he’s a big character, big experience for us and we’ll miss him.
“He’s done a lot of really good things for us.”
Attentions swiftly move on to Saturday’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium.
Everton were victorious in the reverse fixture back in August thanks to goals from Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner.
Moyes said: “Michael Keane is back, Jarrad Branthwaite made 45 minutes the other night, Kiernan back, we’re still waiting a bit on Charly Alcaraz and Tim Iroegbunam.
“They are all certainly getting much closer, are they fully fit? are they really up to speed? some of them not quite but hopefully it won’t take long.”
On the Hosts Moyes added: “Brighton have a really good team and I think their model is something everyone has enjoyed.
“Everybody in some way would like to copy their recruitment, they buy very young and bring them in, have a good pathway for them.
“They have a really good up and coming young manager as well at the moment who’s steering them in a good direction.
“Whether it be Graham Potter, whether it be De Zerbi, I think there’s been good improvement in Brighton over several years.”
Moyes had high praise for Brighton marksman Danny Welbeck who he coached for Manchester United during the 2013/14 season.
He said: “Really pleased for Danny because he was a great lad when I had him at Manchester United.
“He’s had a bit of a journey, he’s had to come through injuries at different times.
“He’s probably in a little bit of a real purple patch now because of his form really at Brighton, he’s done so well.
“He’s got that instinct of a striker and someone who knows how to play the game and be in the right places and know how to link play up for them as well.
“Danny’s turned into a really good all round centre forward, which he always was but he’s doing really really well in this time in his career.”
Everton striker Thierno Barry has five goals in his last six appearances but Moyes still wants more from the Frenchman.
“How he’s playing at the moment wouldn’t be enough to satisfy me,” added Moyes.
“He needs to keep improving what he’s doing, I have to say it’s great he’s stepped up and come up with a couple of really important goals for us.”
Moyes also said he is not expecting that much business to happen in the rest of the transfer window.
He said: “We’re out there looking, it’s not that we’re shying away from it, I would say it’s probably less than likely than likely.
“I think we’re seeing this window becoming quite a difficult one for a lot of teams.”
Despite this, Moyes did confirm that outgoing loan deals for Harrison Armstrong and Adam Aznou are still possible.
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