Everton opt to delay Leon Osman knee surgery

Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar believes Everton fans cannot "expect miracles" from club record signing Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini opened his Goodison account with the second goal in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United.

The 20-year-old midfielder is still finding his feet following his £15million deadline day arrival from Belgian champions Standard Liege.

And Pienaar, who made his first start of the season against the Magpies at the weekend, has urged supporters to remain patient with Fellaini.

"Marouane has been under a lot of pressure because he cost so much money," said the South African. "People expect miracles but they also have to understand he's only 20 years old and he comes from a different country. The language and the culture is different.

Of course you need time to settle in. Every player needs time to settle in.

"He's adapting well but it will take some time. He showed against Newcastle that he's a good player and it will take a lot of pressure off him having scored that first goal."

Pienaar was sorely missed during the opening weeks of the season after breaking his toe in the pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven in August.

He made his comeback as substitute in Belgium last Thursday, and of his weekend outing the 26-year-old said: "I was really looking forward to playing in front of the fans at Goodison again but to be honest I didn't expect to start.

"It wasn't easy but I've worked hard these last few weeks and I was very eager to come back and play."

Everton are still searching for their first home win of the season after surrendering a two-goal lead against Newcastle.

David Moyes's side were hoping for a much-needed fillip after a miserable 10 days in which they were beaten in the Carling Cup at Blackburn Rovers, lost the Goodison derby and were dumped out of the UEFA Cup by Standard Liege.

But Pienaar added: "The defeat in Europe is all behind us. We lost the game and we can't keep on moaning about what happened.

"If you want to go forward, you have to leave the past behind you. It's behind us now and we have to take each game as it comes and give our best.

"But I really don't know what the problem has been for the team. I think the guys have given everything, I just think we're missing lady luck at the moment - it will come and when it does I think it will stick.

"I think in the first half against Newcastle we did really well but unfortunately we gave a vital goal away just before half-time.

"When you go into the dressing room and you just gave a goal away you're a bit nervous when you go out in the second half and we conceded again early on which was disappointing.

"It's behind us and we've got 10 days off so hopefully we'll figure it out what's going wrong."