Everton midfielder Darron Gibson has been ruled out of action for the next five weeks with a thigh injury.
The 24-year-old recently withdrew from the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan, reportedly telling Giovanni Trapattoni that he had not recovered from the disappointment of their Euro 2012 campaign.
Gibson has featured in all three Premier League games for the Toffees this season, but has been struggling with the problem since a friendly against AEK Athens last month.
He moved to Goodison Park from Manchester United during last season's January transfer window.