With Everton still rocked by an injury crisis, the setbacks for both Jagielka and Arteta could not have come at a worse time for Moyes.

However, the manager is confident Jagielka remains on course for a reasonable return date.

"Even if Jags comes back in six weeks that’s still a pretty good recovery as it’s seven to seven-and-a-half months after a cruciate," said Moyes, whose team travel to West Ham United tomorrow. "At the moment he’s six months, which is a bit sharpish to return.

"The boy at Zenit St Petersburg called Dani was back in under six months after a cruciate, but most doctors say it’s six months absolute minimum. If Jags is seven months then it’s not outrageous. It’s just a little setback, and it’s happened."

There was also a gloomy medical bulletin on Victor Anichebe, who like Arteta has not played since suffering knee ligament damage in the goalless draw at Newcastle United in February.

"Anichebe is not in a good way," said Moyes. "He had the pin taken out four weeks ago which had been catching on the side of his knee.

"Now he has a big growth of bone where it has calcified, he has a massive knee and we’re not quite sure how long it will take for him to come back."

Despite the squad being stretched to breaking point by injury and ineligibility, Moyes has revealed it is unlikely there will be any new arrivals during the January transfer window.

But the Scot believes a triumvirate of first-team regulars will be available to boost his options following the forthcoming international break.

"I don’t know if we’ll be in a position to do any business in January," said Moyes. "But it might be a different scenario then, much will depend on which players come back.

"After the international break we hope to have Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman back and that would make a big difference for us.

"I’m trying to keep away from us focusing on the injured players, we are focusing on the fit players. That’s why it’s my job to get a winning formula.

"The players have to understand that they can’t be looking over their shoulders for backup at the moment. The players whether they are young or old, they will be judged on what they do."