Yerry Mina is set to miss Everton’s Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool.
The Colombia international limped out after just 18 minutes of the Blues’ eventual 3-1 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday with a calf problem.
Mina has been a near ever-present for Carlo Ancelotti’s side so far this season, making 23 appearances out of a potential 30 in all competitions.
But the Everton manager confirmed that the defender is likely to be out of the Saturday evening showdown with the Premier League champions at Anfield.
Ancelotti still remains hopeful striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and midfielder Allan will be available for the short trip across Stanley Park this weekend.
He said: “Mina had a problem on his calf.
“I think he will not be available for the game on Saturday.
“We preferred to give Allan one day training instead of staying on the bench.
“He trained today and we hope he will be available for Saturday – to start.
“Also, Calvert-Lewin, I think, can start.”
Reflecting on the loss to City, Ancelotti admitted that Everton had no response once the visitors retook the lead through Riyad Mahrez’s 63rd-minute strike.
“[It was] really, really difficult,” added the Italian.
“It was a difficult game. For one hour we had good control of the game, of course, defending.
“We needed to defend and for one hour we did well, above all in the second part of the first-half.
“But when they scored the second goal it was almost impossible to be back again.
“Of course, we don’t need to have regrets for this game. In this moment, you can lose against Man City.
“From my point of view, the performance was good for one hour defending.
“Offensively we could do better when we had the ball.”