Ferrari doubt for Toffees

Matteo Ferrari is a major doubt for Everton’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Chelsea on Saturday but the defender’s hamstring injury is “not seriously damaged”.

The on-loan Roma player limped out of Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal to be replaced by returning hero Alan Stubbs.

A scan has confirmed the Italian’s hamstring is not seriously damaged after the player picked up the injury getting his studs caught in the turf.

Head physio Mick Rathbone said: “Matteo had a scan on his hamstring and it confirmed our initial assessment of the injury, that there is no significant muscle damage but he has obviously over-stretched and jarred the area.

“It is an unusual type of injury and we will have to see how it settles down in the next few days.”

If 26-year-old Ferrari does not recover in time to face Chelsea, Everton will have a worrying availability crisis.

Against the Gunners Tim Cahill picked up his fifth booking of the season and is now suspended for the Chelsea game, while Stubbs is cup-tied.

With Joseph Yobo playing for Nigeria in the African Nations Cup, Everton could be left with just veteran David Weir as their only fit central defender.