Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious knee injury, manager David Moyes has confirmed.
Arteta snapped a cruciate ligament during a match against Newcastle in February. He was expected to step up his rehabilitation in the next month only to suffer an infection in the injury.
"We have had to wash out the knee. It is a setback but I cannot say for how long," said Moyes.
Moyes will be again down on numbers for the Europa League match against Benfica on Thursday at Goodison Park.
John Heitinga and Lucas Neill are sidelined as they are both ineligible for the Group I game.
Louis Saha (calf), Tony Hibbert (flu) are doubtful but Steven Pienaar could be on the bench after a knee problem.
Leon Osman, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka and Victor Anichebe remain absent.
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Everton's best player the only one with any flair or creativity.
He has been out for a long time and we qualified for Europe without him by reaching the FA Cup Final although our league position was also good enough to qualify.
I can't wait to see Arteta play again and if he was fit I am quite sure he would go to the World Cup with Spain.
What you must ask yourself however is
Will he be the same player when he regains fitness?
there,s nobody better... than Mikel Arteta....
football fans should care cos he is one of the most talented players in prem
Who cares?
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