Everton defender Leighton Baines has been unavailable since Sam Allardyce took over at Goodison Park.
Baines has been out since the middle of November with a calf injury, and has now missed Everton’s last seven Premier League matches.
There were hopes that the left-back would be available again soon, but he could be set for a lengthier absence than initially anticipated.
Baines is joined on the treatment table by both Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori, who also have some time to go before they are back available for selection again.
However, in better news, Allardyce has confirmed that both James McCarthy and Ross Barkley are closing in on making their comebacks to the first-team fold.
“James will play an 11 v 11 tomorrow,” he said. “We’ve had a bit of a set-back with Leighton Baines. He was on the [training] field but has felt his calf again. Ross Barkley is joining in training too, so hopefully he’s not too far.
“Seamus Coleman is still a way off and he’s one we’d like to get back and Funes Mori is looking like March. It’s tough at the moment but hopefully when they do get fit they’ll stay fit and bring a bit more to the attacking side of our play.”
Everton have already been boosted by the return of Yannick Bolasie recently.
Bolasie was fit enough to start for Everton in their last match, which finished as a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion.
The Toffees are now unbeaten in Allardyce’s first seven games in charge, and they have moved up into ninth place in the Premier League table.
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