Toffees in a sticky situation

Everton manager David Moyes admits the loss of key midfielder Darron Gibson gives him a problem for the next few weeks.

The former Manchester United man sustained a thigh injury in the Toffees’ defeat at West Brom, their last Premier match.

And with Moyes having let highly-rated young midfielder Ross Barkley go on a month’s loan to Sheffield Wednesday he admits his squad is slightly stretched ahead of Monday’s visit of Newcastle.

“Darron’s got a thigh strain and will probably be out for four to five weeks,” he said.

“He’s had two weeks now so hopefully we are a couple of weeks down the line already because of the international break so he may have only a couple of weeks to miss.

“It is a concern for me because he has been very consistent and very good. The Ross Barkley situation leaves us a bit tight in certain areas but I’ve taken that decision.”

Earlier in the day Barkley made his temporary move to Hillsborough and despite knowing the extent of Gibson’s problem, Moyes felt it served the 18-year-old’s best interests — even if it weakened his own options.

“It would have been ideal if I had got another midfield player in (during the transfer window) because I wanted Ross’s development to continue,” added Moyes.