Everton midfielder James Garner faces an extended spell on the sidelines due to his back injury, boss Sean Dyche has confirmed.
Garner, hindered by a non-related back issue during the 2022-23 season, was added to Dyche's long injury list earlier this month and has missed Everton's last two matches.
Dyche, whose side will bid to extend their unbeaten Premier League run to six games at Southampton on Saturday, said: "Jimmy Garner is very unfortunate.
"He's got a longer-term injury. I mentioned last week about getting assessment from the specialist and they've advised to slow him down again, take him off the grass.
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"So we're going to have to wait and see on that one, but it's going to be weeks. It's not going to be days, that's for sure.
"It's a back injury they have just got to be a bit careful with. It's not connected to his previous one, it's just one of those things.
"But it will be a longer period, not a short one. Beyond another month, I would think."
Garner joins fellow midfielder Tim Iroegbunam on the sidelines, with the £9million summer signing from Aston Villa also missing the last two matches.
Dyche said: "With Tim having a stress-related bone injury in his foot, that's another challenge, with two good young midfield players out for us."
Striker Armando Broja (Achilles) has yet to feature for the Toffees since joining on loan from Chelsea in the summer, while defender Jarrad Branthwaite has been dogged by a thigh injury.
The centre-half made just his second appearance this season as a late substitute in last week's 1-1 home draw against Fulham.
But Dyche is hopeful Dwight McNeil can recover in time to face winless Southampton after he was forced off in the closing stages on Saturday.
"Dwight's got a chance," Dyche said. "We're hopeful. He's done a bit of work with the physio team (on Thursday), so we're hopeful on him.
"Douc (Abdoulaye Doucoure) as well had a bit of a situation, but he's been out on the grass, so we'll see how that reacts (on Friday)."
On Broja's progress, Dyche added: "He's working hard, his stats are good, but he's still with the sports science team.
"The crossover period may start next week when he starts with the light stuff with us."
