Osman injury hinders in-form Everton

Everton FC's pleasure at a 12-match unbeaten run has been tainted by the news that midfielder Leon Osman has been sidelined for up to six weeks by a broken toe.

Counted out
The 26-year-old sustained the injury in last week's English League Cup quarter-final victory at West Ham United FC, and although he was able to play in the Premier League defeat of the same club on Saturday with a painkilling injection, an x-ray has ruled him out of a busy time for Everton in four separate competitions.

'Terrible blow'
Manager David Moyes, who already has defenders Alan Stubbs and Leighton Baines on the treatment table, said: "It's an absolutely terrible blow. He broke his toe in the first five minutes of the cup game but he battled on and it shows you how tough he is. He was in a bad way but still wanted to play."

UEFA Cup draw
Osman will not travel to the Netherlands for Everton's UEFA Cup Group A game at AZ Alkmaar on Thursday, though they have already clinched first place and will be drawn against a team finishing third in Friday's draw for the Round of 32, to be played on 13/14 and 21 February. Among the forthcoming fixtures Osman will miss are this month's encounters with Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC, the FA Cup third-round tie against Oldham Athletic FC on 5 January and the first leg of the League Cup semi-final that midweek – Everton hope to have him back for the return a fortnight later.