Steven Pienaar injury blow leaves Everton squad TEN players down
EVERTON'S threadbare squad has suffered another crushing injury blow with the Blues today confirming Steven Pienaar has broken a toe.
Peinaar sustained the injury during Saturday's friendly victory over PSV and will now be sidelined for the opening six weeks of the season.
The news comes just four days before the Premier League opener against Blackburn. And with Tony Hibbert and Tim Cahill injured, Victor Anichebe at the Olympic Games and James Vaughan likely to be suspended, the Blues are now TEN players down on the squad which ended last season in fifth place.
Lee Carsley, Andrew Johnson, Thomas Gravesen, Manuel Fernandes and Stefan Wessels have all left the club during the summer, with the Blues still struggling to bring in any new faces.
Alan Smith and Wagner Love remain firm targets, but there is now a real fear the Blues will not be able to sign anybody before Blackburn open the season at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is trying to cling on to Smith to solve his own injury problems, while CSKA Moscow director general Roman Babaev has denied Everton are close to agreement over a loan for Love.
"It isn't true that we have loaned Vagner Love to Everton," Babaev said. "There are no negotiations about that."
Rennes holding midfielder Stephane M'Bia has at least confirmed that he wants to join Everton, but he is representing Cameroon at the Olympic Games and would not be able to feature against Blackburn on Saturday even if he signed before then.
Speaking from China, M'Bia said: "The offer from Everton is too good to refuse. But I cannot leave on bad terms, despite the lure of the Premier League - I am caught in the middle."
Asked why he has not handed in a transfer request, he added: "It is not easy when everyone has been so kind to you."
The transfer impasse leaves David Moyes struggling to name a recognisable team for the weekend, with the news on Pienaar a devastating blow.
No Everton player supplied more assists than the little South African - 14 in his debut season in the Premier League - and his absence heaps even more creative responsibility on the shoulders of Mikel Arteta, himself only just back in action after injury.
Pienaar was X-rayed this morning and physio, Mick Rathbone said: "We can confirm that Steven Pienaar has broken the big toe in his right foot."
Ironically the Premier League is allowing seven substitutes to be named for the first time this season, but the Blues bench will be filled with untried youngsters on Saturday.
Manuel Fernandes, who has enjoyed two successful loan spells at Everton in recent seasons, has declared his desire to finally make a success of his career in Spain.
"I want to succeed in Spain," Fernandes told Spanish media. "But I need more confidence from the coach."
New Valencia boss Unai Emery is understood to want to keep the 22-year-old at the Mestalla.
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Me and the lads feel that we have been let down as devout Everton fans, so if we sign someone by midnight tonight, the four of us guys will buy a season ticket. If no signings by 12 midnight, we will be online using our season ticket money to buy a holiday to Crete. More chance of seeing a few lads score in Crete too. Please dont sign anyone, i beg of you!!