Everton players are upset for teammate Yakubu Aiyegbeni after the striker was ruled out for the season with an Achilles injury.

South African midfielder Pienaar, who scored the winner at Tottenham on Sunday on his return from a knee problem, revealed how upset Yakubu was after suffering his Achilles injury.

Pienaar said: "It is a huge blow to lose Yak and we are all so sorry for him.

"We know the quality he has got and the type of person he is. I spoke to Yak at half-time and he was really down.

"Maybe the win and the goal will have given him a little bit of lift. We hope he is better again quickly.

"His presence alone in the team gives the players a boost, so it is really unfortunate for him to pick up an injury like this when we are not even halfway through the season."