Roberto Martinez insists Everton will be able to cope without Leighton Baines even though the left-back may not play again until the end of November.
The 30-year-old former Wigan Athletic star has undergone a successful ankle operation but is set to be missing for up to 14 weeks.
Baines sustained the problem in training just before the start of the season but the injury has now been repaired.
The England international re-injured the same ankle which required surgery in May.
Martinez remains sanguine about Baines’ injury and is set to start with Brendan Galloway at left-back for this weekend’s game against Southampton after the 19-year-old starred in the opening-day draw with Watford at Goodison Park.
Gareth Barry played at left-back when Galloway was substituted in the second half of the 2-2 draw against the Hornets, while Bryan Oviedo is also capable of playing in the position.
Martinez said: “We have Bryan Oviedo coming back to full fitness and I think it is going to be important over the next few weeks that he regains his match fitness level.
“Brendan Galloway is a young man but, when he plays, he is and out-and-out defender. He has been very impressive and is someone who can play in that position for us for a long time.
“It’s a setback but we want Leighton to get back on the pitch refreshed and this period is going to help his desire to come back.”
Everton are 4.20 to beat Southampton on Saturday while a Saints victory at St Mary’s is available at 1.95. The draw is 3.30.
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