Season › 2013-14 › News

Mirallas out for last three matches

Everton confirm Belgian star's groin injury

Updated Kevin Mirallas will miss Everton's last three games of the season with a "small tear" to his groin, Everton have now confirmed.

The 26 year-old appeared to be in some discomfort as he made his way around the pitch at the final whistle of Sunday's win over Manchester United after being replaced in injury time by Aiden McGeady and initial reports from Belgium that his League season is over have now been confirmed.

Mirallas is expected to be out for a month but should make the World Cup Finals in Brazil.

The loss of the forward will be keenly felt by the Blues — Mirallas has scored nine times this season, including important strikes in the recent home wins over Arsenal and United, and has been a vital part of Roberto Martinez's side in many of the big games this season.

"Kevin being out for the rest of the season is a real disappointment because he was in a phenomenal moment of form," the Spaniard said today.

"Kevin is a quick healer. The most important aspect now is that we get him fully fit and ready to participate in the World Cup."

Mirallas, who spent a frustrating portion of his first season in the Premier League out with a recurring hamstring complaint but has been relatively injury-free this term, sent a message to supporters on Twitter via his international teammate, Romelu Lukaku, saying:

"Thank you for your support! I'm very sad because i can't help my teammates for the last 3 games. I hope the team will qualify for the champions league (sic) and I will have some treatment so i'm ready for the [World Cup]."

Everton are also waiting on Sylvain Distin's injury to settle down before being able to full diagnose the extent of the tweak to his hamstring. The Frenchman was withdrawn at half-time on Sunday after feeling a twinge in the muscle and Martinez revealed today that the results of those tests won't be known for another 48 hours or so.

Distin is almost certainly ruled out of the trip to Southampton but the manager insists that Phil Jagielka won't be rushed back to fill the void. The captain has been involved in first-team training and Martinez has targeted the Manchester City game at the start of next month for his return. That would mean Antolin Alcaraz partnering John Stones against Southampton on Saturday as he did in the second half against United at the weekend.

 

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