Everton skipper Phil Neville believes the players in the squad will not dwell on the season-ending injury to star midfielder Mikel Arteta.

Neville has called for his teammates to pull together and not let the absence of Arteta affect them in any way.

"It's a massive blow for us because any team would miss a player of Mikel's quality," he told the Mirror.

"It's really tough on Mikel himself and the lads are gutted for him but these things happen in football and we will just have to get on with it.

We have an awful lot to play for and there's nothing to be gained by feeling sorry for ourselves. We have some big games coming up now and it's up to each and every member of the squad to rise to the occasion and make sure the momentum we have got is not lost."

However, there is some good news in the Toffees camp.

"Over the next few weeks we will get the likes of Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar back from injury and we will have Tim Cahill back this weekend from suspension," he added.

"There is certainly enough quality here to cope in Mikel's absence."