Arteta doubtful for Blues trip

Mikel Arteta is a major doubt for Everton’s difficult trip to relegation-haunted Birmingham while Leon Osman has picked up a hip injury in training and is also a concern.

Arteta came off during last weekend’s win over Derby with abdominal muscle pains, and has not trained this week.

If Osman is ruled out, Everton will find themselves seriously short of midfield cover.

Full-back Tony Hibbert (hip) and midfielder Steven Pienaar (knee) have also been under treatment this week and boss David Moyes will make a late decision on the pair.

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