Everton are sweating on the fitness of Yerry Mina ahead of Sunday's game against Tottenham after he was substituted off in their Carabao Cup win over Watford.
The Colombian had in fact missed the Toffees' controversial 3-2 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday due to a problem in his right knee.
However, he was deemed fit enough to return on Tuesday evening but he only lasted 41 minutes and was replaced by Michael Keane.
Marco Silva's men have limited options in the heart of defence at present after failing to sign a new centre-back in the summer.
The Merseyside club had gone all out to re-sign Kurt Zouma after an outstanding loan spell during the 2018/19 season, yet Frank Lampard and Chelsea made it clear that the Frenchman was a big part of his plans at Stamford Bridge.
Mason Holgate, a goalscorer in the 2-0 win over Watford on Tuesday, will partner Keane at the back if Mina does fail to return, with Silva maybe having to call up one of the club youngster's to cover on the bench if that's the case.
Asked by the media after the game if the ex-Barcelona man would be ruled out, Silva, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, said: "It's too early to say to you about that.
"Before the game he was completely ok. When we changed close to half-time he was in pain in that moment. When I spoke to him at the end of the game did was walking and did not feel pain no more. So it is a little strange.
"It is nothing special he has, even the injury was nothing really special. He had some pain disturbing him but we hope he will be ok in the next day or two."
