Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed that captain Phil Jagielka will be sidelined for around a month with a hamstring injury.
The England international missed the Toffees' 2-1 win over Southampton on Sunday and will now sit out for as many as four weeks.
"It was at the end of the game against Sunderland (on Boxing Day)," Martinez said.
"With this soft tissue injury it could be up to four weeks, but knowing Jags he will be back earlier.
"It is just the accumulation of games and the demands of this month - November into December is high-risk in terms of injuries to the players.
"When you have the number of games we play, it is understandable."
