Tuesday 24 November 2009, 12:24
by Paul Dargan
Everton captain Phil Neville's hopes of playing in the 212th Merseyside derby have been dashed.
David Moyes has revealed the Club skipper has had to undergo surgery on his injured knee - setting back his return to first team action.
Neville had hoped to avoid surgery - and had pencilled in a return to action this week.
"Phil Neville has had to go in for a minor operation on his knee and that's put him back for a few weeks," explained Moyes.
"He had a slight tear in his cartilage, which looks like it has got slightly bigger."
Initially, it seemed that the midfielder did not require surgery but the growth in the tear has necessitated it.
Moyes added: "They’re (the surgeons) going to go in and have a look and see what they’re going to do about it.
"We were probably expecting Phil to have maybe started against Man United, Hull or Liverpool and he will now be out for another three or four weeks."
The skipper has been out of action since a challenge by Dickson Etuhu of Fulham saw the England midfielder stretchered off the pitch at Craven Cottage in September.
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Your Comments
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Lee Rushton
I agree with Blue Blud, i missed a third of my football season due to injury and there is nothing more frustrating than watching your team mates wanting to kick every ball!!!! So i know how frustrated Phill and all the others will be. The physios and surgeons know what they are doing they are just setbacks that we cant do much about it. If any of the players come back too soon, they will regret it and could be back out again in no time, as Ossie and Arteta have said its better to be safe than sorry. We as supporters just need to get behind the team more than ever.
Wednesday 25th Nov 2009 12:33
Agree with Lee?
Blue Blud
I just can't believe the comments I have just read! Do you honestly think that Phil Neville in particular wants to be injured...He is so passionate about Everton and plays his heart out always, as does Jags and Arteta who has just committed himself to our team. Now is the time to suppot our team in these difficult times not just when the going is good. We are unique supporters so let's keep thefaith.. I am sure that Everton have the finest doctors on their books so come on and get behind our team and keep the positive thoughts on our injured players. Keep smiling Phil as I know you will be very disappointed at this set back but if anyone can overcome setbacks it is you.
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 20:05
Agree with Blue?
Jeremy Tinston
I wouldn't have a go at our medial staff gav, all the injuries sustained are generally prone to set backs and there's absoloutley nothing that anyone could have forseen. i would ever have a massive pop at the refs that allowed the challeges on our lads to go unpunished......... all we can do as blues is hope for a speedy recovery, and hope that the lads that are playing start stepping up and pull some results out of the bag and Mr Moyes if you do read these just give dans line up below some consideration, we play more aggressive when we play 2 upfront with cahill in the middle.........
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 18:16
Agree with Jeremy?
Stephen Jackson
Hang on gents, These things happen. Lets not jump on the bang wagon, we've been this way with the injury list all season. Won and lost games its the way football goes. Main thing is we dont lose the likes of Stevie P, Ossie to another set back and move on start getting some points. Over the last two season we've prob played more games without Mikel then we have with.
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 17:37
Agree with Stephen?
gavin griffiths
yet again, another player, along with jagielka, arteta and anichebe suffer setbacks with their injuries. Either our medical staff our useless at thier jobs or b.k has loaned them off to a foreign club we never heard of to get some cash. disgruntled blue nose.
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 17:08
Agree with gavin?
Richard Grey
Why am I not surprised?!
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 16:12
Agree with Richard?
Dom Tulett
I'm beginning to wonder if the knee specialists our boys are working with are all Liverpool fans!? Can't believe the luck we're having. Thanks to Mick Rathbone and his team for doing their best and to everyone who's fighting for us through this tough spell. It will end, and we'll string some results together. No doubt about it - just got to hang in there for now.
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 16:10
Agree with Dom?
Dan Dickenson
I know it's no ones fault but It's getting fustrating. Arteta, Jagielka and Neville are all first teamers and I can't believe they might of played for Everton for the last time this year, especially Arteta who got injured in Feb. COYB lets do what we always do and bounce-back. Predicted/ My personal line-up for Hull Diamond formation - Howard (gk) - Heitinga (rb) - Yobo (cb) - Distin (cb) - Baines (lb) - Gosling (rm) - Rodwell (dm) - Pienaar (lm) Cahill (am) - Yakubu (cf) - Saha (cf)
Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 15:31
Agree with Dan?