Arteta out for rest of season

The Spaniard has been struggling with a stomach and groin injury since the end of last year and despite returning to his homeland for treatment the problem has not improved.

Arteta returned to England and came on as a second-half substitute in last weekend's 2-2 draw against Aston Villa but could not train properly this week.

With James Vaughan (knee) and Tim Cahill (foot) having previously had their seasons ended prematurely, Arteta's absence for Sunday's clash at Arsenal and next weekend's visit of Newcastle is yet another blow in the Toffees' bid to secure fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.

Moyes was obviously disappointed to lose one of his better, more creative, players for the crucial end to the campaign.

"He has had an injury which he has not been comfortable with since probably before Christmas," said the Everton manager.

"We have given him opportunities to go back to Spain and see a specialist he wants to work with there but he is not comfortable with it either now so in fairness we have to say he is not available.

"He came on in the game on Sunday and he came back to training and hasn't felt good for a couple of days so really we are ruling him out until the end of the season and until the start of the next.

"Mikel feels it after games more so. He feels sore with it and doesn't feel comfortable.

"We will do everything we can - he has done everything he can to get himself fit and it has just not happened."