Gibson Out For Three Weeks

Midfielder sidelined by thigh strain sustained at West Brom.

Darron Gibson will miss Monday night's visit of Newcastle United and could be out for up to three weeks due to a thigh strain.

The midfielder limped out of Everton's 2-0 defeat at West Brom a fortnight ago and manager David Moyes has revealed the initial prognosis was a four to five week absence.  

Gibson, 24, has been receiving treatment throughout the international break and the Scot is hopeful of welcoming him back early next month.  

The Blues boss also confirmed Steven Pienaar has overcome his own thigh complaint, though he will need to wait to see if deadline-day arrival Bryan Oviedo is available after two weeks away with Costa Rica.

"I think we're okay [for Newcastle]," said Moyes on Friday. "The only person who seems to be out is Darron Gibson.

"He's got a thigh strain which we think would initially keep him out for four to five weeks. Obviously he's missed two weeks already, so hopefully he's not too far away.

"I've not even seen Bryan Oviedo yet. He's out of the country today to get his visa and I was in London on deadline day to get his work permit, so I didn't see him  then.

"Hopefully he'll be in the country today and we'll see where we go from there."

Moyes admitted the loss of Gibson had come at a bad time but expects his squad to cope despite another midfielder, Ross Barkley, being loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday.

As well the Goodison clash with Newcastle, Gibson is likely to miss Everton’s Premier League meetings with Swansea and Southampton and the Capital One Cup third round trip to Leeds.

"It is a concern for me because Darron has been very consistent and he's been very good," added Moyes. "It's a blow and it leaves us a bit short in that area but we'll have to find ways of getting around it."