Everton’s hopes of having skipper Phil Neville back from injury in time to face Hull City at the KC Stadium (Everton 6/5, Hull 11/5, draw 12/5 Match Betting) on Wednesday have been hit by the news he required a second knee operation.

The versatile 32-year-old has not played for the Toffees since the 2-1 defeat at Fulham in September because of a knee problem and the side have struggled in his absence.

Everton have won just two of their last eight Premier League games which has seen their hopes of a top-four finish ( Everton 25/1 Without Big 4) seriously dented.

Neville had initially targeted the Tigers clash as his return date, but boss David Moyes confirmed that the latest setback means he will now miss a few more games.

He said: “Phil Neville has had to go in for a minor operation on his knee and that’s put him back for a few weeks.”

Steven Pienaar has a chance of returning from a knee injury in time to face Hull, but Marouane Fellaini and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov will miss out as they are suspended.

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