Seamus Coleman has been taking injections to play through the pain for Everton.
Coleman found himself restored to the Blues’ starting line-up for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United after illness laid low fellow right-back Djibril Sidibe.
The Republic of Ireland international is expected to feature again for the Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester City should Sidibe still remain sidelined.
And Everton caretaker Duncan Ferguson has revealed the lengths that Coleman, 31, has taken in order to ensure he is still in contention for the club.
He said: “Seamus is incredible for the football club.
“He has been taking injections to try to play. He is always trying to make himself available. He is a proper Evertonian.
“The amount of work he does behind the scenes is incredible. Seamus is the type of guy this club cannot lose.
“He is an incredible servant to the club. Him being such a great Evertonians, we need to make sure we harness that.
“I love Seamus and one of the reasons I love coming to work is because of guys like Seamus Coleman. He is incredibly loyal, incredibly hard working.
“You know he has your back and that is the most important thing for me. Seamus is a tremendous individual and a tremendous Evertonian.
“And I hope he stays at this club for a very long time.”