What The Papers Say - 6 January

News of Everton's growing injury woes in Friday's papers.

The views below are taken from the local and national newspapers and do not necessarily reflect those of Everton.

PHIL JAGIELKA faces a month out after tweaking knee ligaments in Everton’s 2-1 loss to Bolton.

Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell and Tony Hibbert will also miss their FA Cup tie with non-League side Tamworth.

EVERTON FC have recalled Shane Duffy from his loan spell with Scunthorpe United as they learned Phl Jagielka’s knee injury will keep him out of action for three to four weeks.

Jagielka sustained damage to his right knee making a last-ditch challenge on Bolton striker David Ngog during Everton FC's 2-1 defeat at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

Having initially tried to carry on, the England international was eventually forced from the field, and left the ground on crutches.

The 29-year-old, an ever-present in the Premier League this season, will miss tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Tamworth.

Phil Jagielka has a history of knee problems, having suffered a cruciate ligament injury to his left knee back in 2009, which kept him out for the best part of a year.

Blues boss David Moyes does have options in the centre of defence, with John Heitinga able to drop back from the midfield berth he has occupied of late.

Duffy, 20, was due to remain at League One Scunthorpe until next week having signed an extended loan deal back in November.

But the Republic of Ireland U21 defender has been recalled by Everton three days early, and will now be available for selection this weekend, as Moyes faces a series of selection dilemmas.

Along with Jagielka, both Leon Osman and Jack Rodwell were forced off early during the defeat to Bolton.

Rodwell, introduced as a first-half substitute for Jagielka, suffered a recurrence of the hamstring complaint which had limited his involvement in the Blues’ festive fixtures, and is certain to miss out against Tamworth.

Also on the injured list are Seamus Coleman, who has missed the last three games with a thigh problem, and Marouane Fellaini, who is rated as ‘touch and go’ to be fit in time for Wednesday’s rearranged Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane.

Royston Drenthe, who has not played since Boxing Day due to illness, could be in contention to return against Tamworth, while the likes of Ross Barkley, Magaye Gueye, James McFadden and Victor Anichebe could all be pushing for starting places against the Blue Square Bet Premier Division outfit.

Louis Saha, meanwhile, has admitted he needs to improve his form, but says he is confident he can turn things round in the second half of the season.

Saha played the full 90 minutes in defeat to Bolton, but made little impact.

The Frenchman has managed just one league goal this season, and tweeted after the Bolton loss: “Critics are spot on. Way too much bad perf from me but I’m still confident one good game can turn it around for me.”

Elsewhere, young Blues left-back Jake Bidwell is to remain on loan at League One side Brentford until February 14, after the two clubs agreed an extension.

EVERTON boss David Moyes is battling a growing injury crisis ahead of the FA Cup tie with Tamworth tomorrow.

Defender Phil Jagielka could be out for a month with a knee injury and Jack Rodwell has a hamstring problem.

Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman are also sidelined.

EVERTON FC’S Phil Jagielka has been ruled out for three-to-four weeks with medial ligament damage.

The England international hobbled out of Wednesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Bolton and left Goodison Park on crutches but the damage is not as bad as initially feared.

Also missing for tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Tamworth are Jack Rodwell (hamstring), Leon Osman (knee) and Tony Hibbert (groin).

Everton FC manager David Moyes has recalled young Irish defender Shane Duffy from his loan spell at Scunthorpe as he looks to add defensive cover.

Moyes, who this week allowed centre-back German Shkodran Mustafi to join Italian club Sampdoria, was left without any recognised defenders on his seven-man bench against the Trotters when Jagielka had to be withdrawn.

Duffy, 20, has made 19 appearances for The Iron this season and was due to return to Goodison next week. However, with Scunthorpe without a game this weekend, Moyes has decided to bring back the 6ft 3in centre-back early.