Everton manager David Moyes believes the club's injury crisis is having a draining effect on the remaining fit players in his squad.
Moyes is conducting a roll call at the club's Finch Farm training ground to see who might be available to face Bolton on Sunday at the Reebok Stadium.
Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was the latest player to be struck down in the 5-0 thrashing by Benfica in the Europa League, finishing the match with a strapping on the thigh.
With Joseph Yobo (head), Leon Osman (ankle) and Leighton Baines (calf) all injured in the wake of the draw with Wolves at the weekend, Moyes does not have his problems to seek. Steven Pienaar, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan are also all still receiving treatment.
Moyes said: "The injuries are beginning to drag me down. It is just beginning to weigh on us. The other thing is, it is weighing on the players as the same few are having to dig deep all the time.
"We are looking forward to getting a positive result though against Bolton. We know it will be hard but hopefully we will have one or two back in the squad."
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Yes ok, but the key thing here is the way DM handles it and never transmits fear to the team. To be fair, this is the first time I've read about his concerns, whereas not a million miles away on the other side of the Park, they lose their 2-man team and it's all we ever hear about. EFC have nearly the equivalent of a full team out through injury and he's only beginning to get concerned. Rafa take note and cease the noise. Moysey - keep it going - more class and dignity at the Peoples' Club than you could ever hope to see over at the tired old Glory seekers' place. (Wasn't this meant to be "their year"......again.)
Once again we are finding problems with injuries. It is the same every season and if management had bought properly during the summer and increased squad numbers we would not be in this position. It seems we are resigned to being "nearly there" and I sometimes wonder whether Kenwright wants us to go any further.
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