Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is facing a fresh spell on the sidelines.
Branthwaite only returned to the fold for a first time this season last weekend as Sean Dyche’s side claimed a long-awaited victory over Crystal Palace.
But the England international has suffered a new setback and is understood to have picked up a thigh injury in training which is set to be assessed.
It means the Blues risk heading into their Saturday evening encounter against Newcastle with their influential centre-back potentially out of contention.
Should he fail to make the Goodison Park clash, Branthwaite’s earliest return would be for a trip to Ipswich Town after the October international break.
Dyche, meanwhile, has revealed that Dele Alli’s bid to secure a second spell at Everton has also been dealt a setback after sustaining a muscle injury.
Despite the 28-year-old’s contract expiring last summer, he has been allowed to continue training on Merseyside as part of his long-term rehabilitation plan.
“He’s just making sure he’s right at the moment,” said Dyche.
“He’s had a little bit of a slip back with his fitness so he is just in that total recovery period. It’s slightly different [to the groin issue].
“It’s a slight muscle strain, nothing too heavy, but because it’s been so long it is about getting him back into that fully fit zone.”