Everton boss Brian Sorensen has confirmed defender Gabby George will miss this weekend's trip to Reading with a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old has been a standout performer for the Blues this term, having primarily been deployed at left wing -back since Sorensen's arrival last summer. However, George didn't feature in Everton's 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday night and Sorensen has now confirmed she won't be available for Sunday's clash with the Royals.
"Gabby has a hamstring injury so we're just getting the verdict on that at the moment but she won't be ready for the weekend," Sorensen said in his pre-match press conference.
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"It's probably not a good [injury]. She'll be a big miss of course. She's been a consistent player for us and featured in nearly all of our games but it is how it is."
Everton fell behind inside 12 minutes against Brighton, with Elisabeth Terland nodding home from a well-worked set piece. Katie Robinson's strike on the stroke of half time put the Seagulls - who were bottom of the table heading into the clash - firmly in control at Broadfield Stadium.
Katja Snoeijs offered the Blues a route back into the game with a second-half brace, but Terland's smart finish in the 80th minute made sure Sorensen's side were on the receiving end of a seventh defeat of the season.
"We weren't at our best against Brighton, especially in the first half," the Everton boss admitted. "We tried to play football even though the conditions were hard.
"We mixed it up a bit in the second half and we created the goals and the chances. I think it was just a not so good day in the office. We had to change two in the lineup before the game and that always changes the rhythm a bit and Brighton were fighting for their lives."
The Blues will hope to get back to winning ways when they take on Reading this weekend. Kelly Chambers' side are currently 11th in the table - just one point above the drop zone - however Sorensen believes his players will need to be at their best if they are to come out on top in the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
"We spoke after the game on Wednesday and said the motivation needs to be there from the start," Sorensen said.
"We want to finish the season as strongly as possible. Winning this weekend is a good opportunity to bounce back."
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