Midfielder blow for boss

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar appears to have lost his battle to be fit to face Hull at the KC Stadium tonight.

There had been a hope that the South African midfielder, who has returned to training, would be ready to return to play at Hull but it would appear the match has come too soon although he may be fit to face Liverpool on Sunday.

Boss David Moyes is already without the suspended midfielders Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Marouane Fellaini as well as a host of players out injured.

Skipper Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe, James Vaughan and Leon Osman all remain on the sidelines.