Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed James Rodriguez will miss the trip to West Ham United on Sunday but Abdoulaye Doucoure is available for selection.
Rodriguez was set to start the defeat to Aston Villa last weekend but picked up a calf complaint in the warm-up and will return to training next week as Ancelotti hit back at suggestions he had sustained more than a 'little problem'.
The Everton manager will be able to call upon Doucoure - who he labelled a 'great surprise' with his performances this season - for the first time since the victory over West Bromwich Albion in March.
Ancelotti said: "For this weekend, we have back Doucoure after the injury he had he recovered well, he trained with the team, he is available.
"James is not. He didn't train with the team, he is starting his proper rehab, he will start training with the team next week.
"The little problem was after the game against Aston Villa. Before Aston Villa he played. He had a little problem during the warm-up against Aston Villa and it is a little problem.
"He didn't train with the team this week, he trained alone, following a proper rehab. The plan is to train at the beginning of next week."
When pressed on the injury sustained by James, Ancelotti said: "I am not talking to you about this. There is the privacy of the medical situation and so I don't want to talk to you about what is his problem.
"It is a little problem that happened in the warm-up and I hope he will be available for Aston Villa next week."
Ancelotti added on Doucoure: "He is really important. He showed fantastic quality and has supported the team a lot when he played.
"It was a great surprise for us to have this type of player. He put a lot of energy into the midfield and to have him back for the next game will be really important.
"Without him, we have had more problems. He is one of the most important players we had and he has been a really good signing.
"I hope he can show his quality in the last games we have before the end."
