AJ unlikely to feature

Andrew Johnson is almost certainly out of Everton’s Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham with the groin injury which forced him off at Fulham last weekend.

But Victor Anichebe’s hip injury has improved and he could well be in the squad. Midfielder Tim Cahill (hip) remains a major doubt, but Manuel Fernandes has overcome a groin problem and could figure.

Thomas Gravesen has a knee injury which will keep him out. Jack Rodwell, 17, is likely to be in the squad after signing his first professional contract this week.

Striker James Vaughan has started his rehabilitation at the club’s Finch Farm training complex following a knee operation in Colorado, but he will now be out until next season.

Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines, Valente, Arteta, Osman, Carsley, Pienaar, Fernandes, Anichebe, Cahill, Yakubu, Johnson, Wessels, Rodwell.