John Collins feels Everton are not in contention for the top four due to Louis Saha's injuries.
Collins played at Fulham while Saha was with the Cottagers.
He told evertonfc.com: "It is nothing to do with Louis' professionalism - he has just been so unlucky.
"He looks after his body and does all the right things, he has just had rotten luck. I was fortunate to have played with him at Fulham and I had phone calls from Manchester United asking me about Louis and I couldn't speak highly enough of him.
"Louis is skilful, good in the air, can hold it up and can get away and finish, but in football you need to be fit to prove to people that you can do it on the pitch.
"He is so unlucky, and it has been a real shame for Everton because I do believe if he had stayed fit he would have scored the goals that would have taken them up to challenging the top group of four or five teams. It is a shame for the club, as they have not had that goalscorer who can turn those draws into victories."
