Naysmith out for six weeks

Everton defender Gary Naysmith will be sidelined for six weeks because of a serious medial ligament injury suffered in the weekend draw at Newcastle.

The Scottish international’s left knee was injured in a challenge with Magpies striker Obafemi Martins, and the 27-year-old is now expected to be out until November, thus missing the Euro 2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine.

Toffees physio Mick Rathbone told his club’s official website: “Gary’s scan has confirmed our clinical diagnosis that he has sustained a significant strain of his medial ligament and he is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks.”