Everton face four weeks without Gibson

Everton will be without midfielder Darron Gibson for up to a month, with the former Manchester United man suffering a thigh strain.

The 25-year-old was absent from his side’s 2-1 home loss to Chelsea on Sunday because of the problem, manager David Moyes confirming he will spend an extended period on the sidelines.

“I think he’s going to be out for about four weeks,” Moyes said.

Gibson spent more than two months out earlier this year because of a similar problem and adds to the club’s growing injury list.

Moyes is already without Kevin Mirallas (hamstring), Tony Hibbert (calf) and Seamus Coleman, and he was also forced to rest captain Phil Neville against Chelsea after he played consecutive games in a five-day period following surgery.