Last Updated: Sat, 03 May 2008 13:11
Everton will have to do without midfield playmaker Mikel Arteta in the run-in for European qualification.
The Spanish ace has been carefully looked after over the last couple of months after struggling with groin and abdominal injuries - for which he has been regularly travelling back to his homeland for treatment.
The 26-year-old has been hampered over the problems as the Toffees' season reaches a climax but had returned from Spain to take his place on the bench last weekend for the Aston Villa match.
Although he did take the field for 24 minutes of the clash, he was clearly not at his best and boss David Moyes has now admitted defeated in his battle for full fitness.
"Mikel is out for the rest of the season," said Moyes. "We have not had Mikel much for the last month or two. He has been doing everything he can to be fit but is not quite right.
"He has not felt right in training for a while. It has been dragging on since November-December time.
"He came on in the game on Sunday and he came back to training and hasn't felt good for a couple of days. Mikel feels it after games more so. He feels sore with it and doesn't feel comfortable.
"He's played some games, he's missed some training and I think it has affected his form," he added.
"It does not require surgery. He has had rest but has been getting treatment as well, so we will just have to leave his recovery to the medical team."