Six weeks out for Naysmith

Everton full back Gary Naysmith will be out for at least six weeks with a knee injury.

The Scotland international was hurt during his side's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United last weekend after a tangle with Obafemi Martins.

The Toffees immediately feared Naysmith had damaged medial ligaments and their diagnosis was confirmed by a scan on Tuesday.

Naysmith will now be sidelined until well into November, with Everton physio Mick Rathbone acknowledging the news.

"Gary's scan has confirmed our clinical diagnosis that he has sustained a significant strain of his medial ligament and he is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks," Rathbone told the club's official website.

The injury means the left back will miss Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine next month.

Everton also do not expect the 27-year-old to be available for selection again until the end of November at the earliest.