Everton have moved to defuse claims striker Victor Anichebe has suffered a serious setback in his recovery from knee ligament damage.
Last week boss David Moyes, ahead of the first game of the season against Arsenal, intimated the youngster had suffered a relapse.
Anichebe did experience some discomfort during training last week, but on Tuesday head physio Mick Rathbone said: "It is not true to say Victor has had any kind of major setback."
Rathbone added: "He has been making slower progress than we would have liked but the surgeon is pleased with the repair and these things take time. He is a young lad and we must make sure he comes back perfectly fit after such a serious injury."
The young Nigerian has been absent from the Toffees' squad since February after a horror tackle from Newcastle's Kevin Nolan caused severe damage to the striker's knee ligaments.
However, Anichebe is a considerably way behind Mikel Arteta and Ayegbeni Yakubu in the comeback race from injury. Yakubu has played and scored in a behind-closed-doors run out, and Arteta could be back within a month.
Everton are unlikely to make many changes in their side for Thursday's Europa League play-off first leg at home to Sigma Olomouc despite the 6-1 home thrashing by Arsenal on Saturday.
Sigma Olomouc manager Zdenek Psotka says he will not read anything into that heavy defeat, having seen the match first-hand from the Goodison Park directors' box.
Psotka said: "Everton are a typical British club, and last season they had some very good results. They have many good players, for example Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini, and they are very good defensively."
The Czech outfit will travel to Goodison buoyed by an emphatic 8-1 aggregate victory over Aberdeen in the second qualifying round, having recorded a 3-1 aggregate win over Iceland's Fram Reykjavik in the first stage.
Comment 1 - 4 of 4
We started slow last season. With injuries. Look where we finished! I do think the drama connected to Lescott has to be resolved. They may need to sell him and pick up some depth. Lucas Neil and Sol Campbell are both available, and experienced. Martin Petrov may also be available. Taylor seems Liverpool-bound, to me. (3) Agreed - sign Pienaar)
could not agree more with coment 1 i just hope moyes can stick it out but at the moment the thought in my mind is how long will he stay with a club with no money hes too good to stay really and i think that if another more atractive post were to appear he would be silly not to go.I say that with fear as i cannot see another manager keeping the same squad year in year out european contenders though this season feels like mid to lower half.No matter what i will continue along side them and if i win a roll over well ill buy a player or two.
come on you blues(extend pienar contract quick too)
william , and others who may write us off !
true this season will be challenging and difficult , we have over achieved in recent years and have done so consistently , which only proves that moyes may well have to work his magic again . taylor would be a good buy for us so fingers crossed for that one .our season is likey to start slowly and improve as arteta and yak and vic get back into the team . as yet the finances to challenge the top 4 clubs are not available so we must be realistic and set a target of being "best of the rest" and a good outing in 1 or more cup competitions must suffice with a couple of good results against the 4 for flavour ! nil satis
Strikers may be superfluous to Everton just now for unless our defence stands firm and our midfield performs with distinction our strikers will have no ball to play with. It looks like we are going to have difficulty acquiring new players for I suspect our target defender, Taylor, may well decide to move to Liverpool for he may regard them as a safer bet. What a bloody awful season may confront us.
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