Everton midfielder James Garner is facing more than a month on the sidelines through injury.
Garner has not featured for Sean Dyche’s side since their stalemate with Newcastle at the beginning of October.
The 23-year-old is now set to miss Saturday’s trip to Southampton as part of an extended spell out of action.
“Jimmy Garner is very unfortunate, he has a longer-term injury,” confirmed Dyche.
“I mentioned last week about getting an assessment from the specialist, they have advised a period to slow him down and take him off the grass.
“So we will have to wait and see on that one, but it’s going to be weeks, not days. It’s a back injury that we have to be careful with.
“It’s going to be beyond a month, I am sure of that.”
However the Everton manager also revealed that he is confident that playmaker Dwight McNeil will be back in contention after shaking a knee issue.
Dyche added:Â “Dwight has got a chance, we are hopeful.
“He’s done a bit of work with the physio team today so we are hopeful about him.”
The Toffees are currently on a five-match unbeaten run ahead of the encounter at St Mary’s.
📸 PAUL ELLIS – AFP or licensors