Rafa Benitez says James Rodriguez was "concerned" about his fitness ahead of the trip to Aston Villa and so was not selected.
The Everton boss named only eight substitutes for the game at Villa Park this evening with injuries ruling key players out of the trip.
Jordan Pickford, Seamus Coleman and Richarlison, joined Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Fabian Delph on the treatment table.
Injury also ruled Jean-Philippe Gbamin out of the fixture.
Benitez called up Ellis Simms to the matchday squad despite the young striker having only returned to training this week.
Rodriguez missed the opening games of the season after isolating because of Covid regulations but after it was agreed not to include him in the squad for the trip to Brighton, he was overlooked for Monday night's game with Burnley despite saying he was "ready".
But Benitez said Rodriguez told him he did not feel ready to play at Villa and the club must now wait and see if he can feature against Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night.
"For this game, he was a little bit concerned about his muscle," Benitez said.
"He was having a little problem and we decided we have to wait, so he was not available. That's it."
"We will see if he's fit for the next game and then we will decide."
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