EVERTON have received another injury setback with the news Jack Rodwell will be absent for the next month.

Rodwell limped off just eight minutes into Thursday’s Europa League defeat to BATE Borisov after suffering a hamstring problem.

And scans have subsequently confirmed the 18-year-old will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks because of the injury.

It means Rodwell is expected to miss the Christmas fixtures with Sunderland and Burnley, the FA Cup third round tie against Carlisle United, and January league encounters against Arsenal and Manchester City.

The absence is a major blow to Goodison manager David Moyes ahead of the hectic festive schedule, with Rodwell having become an integral part of Everton’s midfield this season.

While Mikel Arteta and Phil Neville will not be back until the New Year at the earliest, Moyes can at least call on Leon Osman once again.

The midfielder, sidelined with a broken foot, made his first Premier League appearance in more than two months on Sunday as Everton were held to a 1-1 draw by Birmingham City.

And Osman admits the Goodison outfit, who go into Christmas just two points clear of the relegation zone, feel as though they should have taken more from the game.

“There was a feeling of disappointment in the changing room,” he said. “We started the game really well and we dominated it.

“We created a number of chances but only managed to take one. When you do that the opposition has always got a chance to get back into it and that’s what happened.

“The positives are it is still a point and it is another game unbeaten.