Wright may face knee surgery

Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright could face an operation on his injured knee.

The club are already bracing themselves to lose their star summer signing for Saturday’s visit of relegation-haunted Sunderland at Goodison Park.

Wright was injured in the warm-up before Sunday’s defeat at Spurs, and the results of a scan this week have given the club cause for concern.

Boss David Moyes said: “Richard has had his scan and he’s seen the specialist and there appears to be something catching in his knee that’s causing discomfort.”

Moyes admitted Everton were being forced into a “wait and see” policy as the club give Wright every chance to prove his fitness for Saturday.

He added: “We don’t know whether or not it’s down to training indoors in the gymnasium last week because of the frozen ground.

“That may have inflamed the knee so it will be given every chance to settle down and we will leave it until as late as Saturday before making a decision regarding his fitness ahead of the Sunderland game.

“We will try to allow it to settle naturally but if not then we may have to consider surgery.”

Everton have Paul Gerrard back in training after his dislocated knee, and the keeper could find himself in the side after returning from a loan spell early from Ipswich because of the

injury.

Moyes also has short-term signing Espen Baardsen – who has a minor hip injury - to call on after the Norwegian stepped in for his debut at short notice at Spurs when Wright was injured.

Everton’s other senior keeper, Steve Simonsen, is still recovering from a broken toe while the only other cover is 18-year-old Scot, Ian Turner, who has had his registration rushed through following his move from Stirling Albion.