Moyes looks to cover

David Moyes says he could bring in a free agent as cover for Darron Gibson after the midfielder was ruled out for up to a month.

The Toffees have limited options in the centre of the park this season, with Tim Cahill having left in the summer and FIFA having blocked a move to bring Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe in from Club Brugge on a temporary basis. The news Gibson will miss the next month has put a serve dent in Moyes' plans, the Ireland international picking up a thigh injury in the defeat to West Brom before the international break. Phil Neville and Leon Osman are likely to team up in central midfield for the visit of Newcastle on Monday night. While Neville is an able deputy to Gibson, Moyes admits he could do with some cover and is on the look out for an out of contract gem to improve his options. "I've possibly got to look at players now who are out of contract, to maybe give us some cover over the next few months," Moyes told the Daily post. "There are not many around, especially without contracts, which are the only players we can sign right now, but I am looking without having anything specific at this time. "It was disappointing the deal for Vadis didn't go through, because I feel we're a little short now in midfield, because Gibson is out for a month." Moyes has put the free market to good use in the past, bringing in James McFadden on a short term deal last October. Reports indicate the Scot could make a move for former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlesperger after the 30-year-old was released by Wolfsburg in the summer.