Neill unlikely to feature for Toffees

New signing Lucas Neill is unlikely to make the squad for Sunday’s match at home to former club Blackburn because of his lack of match fitness.

Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s groin injury will be assessed after he was substituted in the Europa Cup victory over AEK Athens but a place on the bench is probably his best hope.

Captain Phil Neville has been ruled out for at least a couple of months with a knee injury sustained in last weekend’s defeat at Fulham.

Victor Anichebe, out since last season with a knee injury, is set for an operation next week to remove a pin which will put back his return to action by at least two to three weeks.

Provisional squad: Howard, Yobo, Baines, Distin, Hibbert, Heitinga, Neill, Cahill, Rodwell, Pienaar, Osman, Yakubu, Jo, Fellaini, Nash, Bilyaletdinov, Vaughan, Gosling.