Everton have a nervous wait to see if Leon Osman and Joseph Yobo will be fit for the St Stephen's Day visit to Middlesbrough.

Mikel Arteta is in line for a return to the Everton team for the Merseyside derby clash against Liverpool after missing the midweek Carling Cup loss against Blackburn due to a virus.

Mikel Arteta is Everton’s only major doubt for the Carling Cup trip to Blackburn tomorrow night.

Everton’s Victor Anichebe faces a fitness test tomorrow after he was carried off on a stretcher with a shin injury during the club’s 2-2 UEFA Cup draw against Standard Liege last night.

Leon Osman could return for Everton in their UEFA Cup first round match against Standard Liege tomorrow night.

Ibrahima Sonko will make his Stoke debut as a holding midfielder against Everton in the Barclays Premier League clash at the Britannia Stadium.

Everton’s £15m new boy Marouane Fellaini is set to start at Stoke City on Sunday but Lars Jacobsen is looking at three months out after dislocating his shoulder during Denmark’s 3-2 World Cup qualifier win against Portugal.

Louis Saha and Segundo Castillo will not feature in Everton’s Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth but fellow new signing Lars Christian Jacobsen should play.

Frustrated Everton boss David Moyes has no additions to the squad that lost 3-2 at home to Blackburn last weekend.

Everton manager David Moyes left five senior players at home as his side prepared to face AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Cup in Holland.