Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed that full-back Leighton Baines could be on the sidelines for a period of time ranging from 10 days to six weeks.
The England international had been expected to be ruled out of action for some time after getting caught by Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson during Saturday's Merseyside derby.
While some reports had claimed that Baines could be sidelined for one month, Martinez has insisted that the medical staff will have to keep a close eye on the injury in order to judge the length of absence.
"It has been confirmed that Leighton has got a fracture in one of the bones in his right foot, which is the phalange," Martinez told the club's official website.
"We need to treat that now and see how it develops. It could mean anything from missing six weeks to being back in 10 days because it depends how the fracture heals. It is in such a specific spot and we are going to see how it reacts."
Baines underwent an X-ray over the weekend.
Danielle Joynson
