Everton will be without Jean-Philippe Gbamin for up to eight weeks.
The Ivory Coast international was forced to miss the Blues’ 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa last Friday after picking up a right quadricep tendon injury in training.
Gbamin, 23, featured in the opening two Premier League games for Marco Silva’s side following a £25 million move from Bundesliga outfit Mainz this summer.
But the defensive midfielder is now facing a premature lay-off as a result of the injury, which Silva admitted last week is ‘more significant than expected’.
Goodison Park officials are monitoring Gbamin’s condition but have delivered an initial prognosis ahead of Wedneday’s Carabao Cup tie with Lincoln City.
“Everton Football Club can confirm that Jean-Philippe Gbamin has sustained a tendon injury in his right quadriceps muscle, which will keep the midfielder out of action for at least eight weeks,” read a club statement.
“The full timescale for the injury will be established following further investigations this week.
“The club are in communication with leading experts around Europe to ensure the optimal outcome.”