Rafa Benitez's plans for a period that could be pivotal for his position as Everton manager have been thrown into disarray by a trio of injuries headed by Richarlison.
Benitez, who is under intense pressure from disillusioned supporters, will be without Brazil international Richarlison for the entire Christmas period after he sustained a calf issue in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
That alone would have been bad enough but the situation has been exacerbated as Andros Townsend will also be absent until the New Year after cracking a bone in his foot and captain Seamus Coleman is out of Thursday's trip to Chelsea with bone bruising and muscle damage.