Everton will be without club-record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson for the next six to eight weeks following confirmation of the midfielder's knee injury.
Sigurdsson suffered the problem during Everton's 2-0 home win over Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend – although he was still able to complete the full 90 minutes at Goodison Park.
The 28-year-old was sent for a consultation with a specialist following the victory, who confirmed he would be sidelined until at least late April.
However, Sigurdsson should recover in time to feature for Iceland at the upcoming World Cup in Russia.
"We'll continue to assess Gylfi's progress on a week-to-week basis and the medical team will work very closely with him, as they would with any injured player, to get him back playing as quickly as possible," Toffees boss Sam Allardyce said.
Sigurdsson has made 33 appearances in all competitions this season following a big-money move from Swansea City.
| It is anticipated Gylfi Sigurdsson will be sidelined for between 6-8 weeks with the knee injury he sustained against Brighton.Update March 14, 2018
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
‘He’ll still be playing at 40 at a good level because he’s in such good shape and looks after himself so well. He does everything to be a top professional’: Ex-Liverpool coach insists Mohamed Salah has plenty more miles in the tank
