Everton manager David Moyes will be without nine regular squad members on Thursday when his team face BATE Borisov in the Europa League.
Promising midfielder Jack Rodwell has become the latest to be sidelined - following Steven Pienaar, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe in being out injured, while Louis Saha is suspended and recent arrivals John Heitinga and Lucas Neill are both ineligible - and did not travel with the group to Belarus as Everton seek to build on their 4-0 victory over AEK Athens.
"While it is disappointing we don't have the pick of all our players, that doesn't make our involvement any less enjoyable," Moyes said. "It (Europe) is something that we as a club always wanted. Finishing fifth last season and qualifying was a great achievement for us, so I am really looking forward to this match."
Rodwell remained at home to rest up and recover from flu symptoms, with South African winger Pienaar, as expected, absent with a knee injury. Pienaar's setback occurred following a challenge by Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena - his national team captain - in the victory at Fratton Park at the weekend.
Pienaar, while disappointed referee Alan Wiley did not take action at Portsmouth, is aiming to return to fitness as soon as possible.
"I'm still in a bit of pain, but hopefully I will be okay in the next couple of days," he said in an interview with EvertonTV.
"When I landed on the ground it (the knee) was just sore. I thought that maybe the pain would ease off.
"As soon as I got back on the pitch I tried to run it off, but it was sore and I couldn't turn or move my knee. All I've been able to do is to stay at home and put ice on it. But that's all I can do.
"I was disappointed that we didn't get a free-kick for it. I saw the clip and he was a bit late, but I also know that it is part of his (Mokoena's) game to get stuck in.
"Maybe the referees are supposed to protect and blow for a free-kick, but everybody makes mistakes."
Comment 1 - 5 of 5
just got to say...well done everton.on to the next level boys.good luck for tonight.
Moyes has done well to create so much strength in depth now. All those players missing but the potential team for tonight still looks capable. Still think one or two positions could be strengthened but with so much quality such as Arteta and Jagielka to return and Saha in good form things are looking ok. We should have enough to get the desired result tonight. Dont understand teams not taking this competition seriously. It takes a really good season to qualify for Europe and now we are there I for one want to win it. COYB.
EFC are a team on the up, people talk about Man City but I think the blues will be top 4 if Moyes contiues his way. You only have to look at how much the squad has improved over the past 2 seasons with 10 and 15 million pound players waiting on the bench.
too many mistakes and decisions
are made by refs in football
and also wrong decisions brinig
in the rugby camra
everton will be become the next arsenal. they will produce many young talents since moyes will have ELEVEN youngsters in the team to play..
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