Everton attacking midfielder Marouane Fellaini is expected to be out of action for six months with a serious ankle injury which requires surgery.
Everton manager David Moyes announced the full extent of the layoff Tuesday after the Belgian international was injured in the team's 1-0 defeat by Liverpool in a Premier League game. Fellaini was injured after a heavy challenge by Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who was sent off.
Moyes said the 22-year-old midfielder would miss the rest of the season and may not return to full fitness until the start of the next campaign.
"He's not good," Moyes said ahead of Everton's Europa League game against Sporting Lisbon. "He's going to have an operation. He's got a similar injury to Robin van Persie and it's probably going to keep him out for six months."
Arsenal's Van Persie has been out of action since November with ruptured ankle ligaments and is a long way off a return.
