Morgan Schneiderlin is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his knee.
Schneiderlin sustained a torn meniscus in the game with Arsenal and went under the knife this week.
The French midfielder had started against the Gunners and was being utilised by new manager Carlo Ancelotti but his progress has been halted by the injury.
The 30-year-old was replaced in the second half of last weekend's 3-2 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in place of Andre Gomes, who made his return to the side after three months out.
Schneiderlin will enter the final year of his contract at Goodison this summer but is now likely to miss many of the final 11 games of the season.
Gomes is ready to start against Manchester United on Sunday but Schneiderlin’s injury limits Ancelotti’s options ahead of the game.
