Stubbs ruled out of trip to Fulham

Everton will again be without skipper Alan Stubbs for the trip to Fulham with the shoulder injury that has kept him out of the Merseysiders’ last two matches.

Also unlikely to face the west Londoners are Alessandro Pistone (hamstring) and Gary Naysmith (ankle), which means Steve Watson is set to play at left back again.

Australian Tim Cahill, who played the full 90 minutes of the draw with Birmingham despite suffering from a virus, has recovered and will continue his midfield role.

Provisional squad: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Yobo, Watson, Cahill, Carsley, Arteta, Kilbane, Osman, Beattie, Ferguson, Bent, Wright, McFadden, Plessis.