Morgan Schneiderlin will miss Everton’s back-to-back games with Liverpool and Manchester United.
Schneiderlin had hoped to feature in the Premier League double header that sees the Blues take on their local rivals and his former club just four days’ later.
But hopes of the France international appearing at Old Trafford have been dashed as he recovers from a calf problem picked up in the win over Hull.
Ronald Koeman, however, remains hopeful that Schneiderlin can return to action for Everton in time for next Sunday’s visit of Leicester City to Goodison Park.
He said: “He’s better now [but] he’s still not available for the weekend.
“I don’t think he will be available for Tuesday but we have good hope that he will be available for the game against Leicester City.
“Of course [plans are] always affected, because in one week we have lost three players who normally start.
“But I think we will have a strong team tomorrow and once again it’s a nice challenge to have.”
Koeman is already short on midfield options heading into the Anfield encounter following James McCarthy’s injury setback on Republic of Ireland duty.
He will also be without the services of defenders Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori after they suffered season-ending injuries in the international break.