Yobo out for four weeks

Everton defender Joseph Yobo has been ruled out for four weeks with a hamstring injury.

The 29-year-old Nigeria international initially suffered the injury in November 29’s Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool, but aggravated the problem last weekend in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Yobo will miss tomorrow’s clash with Chelsea as the Toffees seek to end a run of four Barclays Premier League fixtures without a win.

"Joseph Yobo is going to be out for four weeks, probably, with a hamstring injury,'' manager David Moyes confirmed.

The defender told the club’s website, evertonfc.com: “A scan carried out showed that it was a familiar hamstring injury [and] that I should rest until the end of the year.

“They (doctors) anticipate that I should be fully back at the end of December.

“Unfortunately that will cost me a chance to help out my club at this demanding and crucial stage of the season.”

Yobo’s absence adds yet another injury to the already extensive list, and compounds problems in defence.

With Phil Jagielka and Phil Neville still some weeks away from recovering from knee injuries, Moyes has one recognised first-team centre-back in Johnny Heitinga, who returns from suspension this weekend.

The defence was already patched up against Tottenham with full-back Tony Hibbert standing in and when Yobo limped off Lucas Neill had to move inside, meaning 21-year-old Seamus Coleman came on for only his second Premier League appearance.

For tomorrow’s match at Stamford Bridge it is likely Neill will move back out to the right to allow Heitinga to slot in alongside Hibbert.

Moyes has already said he planned to bolster his injury-hit squad with loan signings next month, but he was reluctant to comment on the anticipated arrival of USA international Landon Donovan.

The Toffees are trying to tie up the forward on a similar short-term deal to the one struck by LA Galaxy team-mate David Beckham, who is returning to AC Milan during the Major League Soccer close season.

“I can’t tell you too much just now because we are just finalising things but I think we will be able to confirm it one way or another in the next week or two,” said Moyes.

“I’d rather talk about him in a couple of weeks and not at this present time in case I don’t get him.”