English Football News – Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury during the Premier League game against Newcastle United.

The Spanish midfielder was stretchered off after just 3 minutes of the game and it was later confirmed that the 26-year-old had suffered ligament damage which could end his season.

The former Spain Under-21 international suffered a knock in a challenge with Newcastle’s Peter Lovenkrands, and his knee twisted under the weight of his body as he landed and his leg was put into a cast before he was stretchered off at St. James’ Park and taken to hospital.

The extent of the injury is not yet known, but there was reported swelling around the knee and the player was in great discomfort as he left the pitch.

The injury does not help Everton boss David Moyes’ push for a Champions League place, and with Yakubu Aiyegbeni injured for the rest of the season and Louis Saha only just returning from a lengthy absence, Moyes’ injury woes seem set to continue.

Everton have been forced in recent weeks to use the likes of Jack Rodwell, Dan Gosling and Victor Anichebe in a bid to ease the injury troubles at the club, and the youngsters have started to perform, with Rodwell securing a new contract earlier in the week and Gosling grabbing an FA Cup winner against Liverpool a fortnight ago.