• Premier League

Everton lose Fellaini to injury

ESPN staff
October 10, 2012
Towering presence: Marouane Fellaini has weighed in with some big goals for Everton © PA Photos
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The Belgian Football Association has confirmed that Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini will be out for three weeks with a knee injury.

Fellaini sustained the injury playing for Everton in the weekend's 2-2 draw with Wigan and following a scan on Tuesday, Fellaini was withdrawn from Belgium's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Scotland this week.

The loss is a huge blow to Belgium ahead of their two important 2014 World Cup qualifiers, with expectation in the country high with the likes of Eden Hazard, Moussa Dembele, Romelu Lukaku and Vincent Kompany providing hope that the nation will secure their first World Cup appearance since 2002.

Fellaini will spend his time on the sidelines in his native Belgium after an agreement was struck between his club and the Belgium Football Association. Fellaini will also miss Everton's first match after the international break, when they meet QPR, and will be racing against the clock to take his place in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park the following week.

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has decided not to call a replacement player into his squad.

"Fellaini got a kick on the knee," Wilmots said. "I hope that by Thursday at the latest I will know who is fit so I can name my team then. But even if more players are not able to play I won't be calling any new names up. I will look for solutions within our current squad."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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