Yakubu ruled out for season
30 Nov 2008 - 17:51:35
Everton striker Yakubu's season is over after the Nigeria international ruptured his Achilles tendon during Sunday's 1-0 win at Tottenham.
The 26-year-old former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough striker suffered the problem in the 11th minute of the White Hart Lane encounter and had to replaced by Louis Saha, who also picked up an injury later in the match.
Toffees boss David Moyes said after the game: "He's done his Achilles and that's him out for the season.
"Louis Saha did his hamstring as well so, with James Vaughan facing a knee operation, we're really short up front. It's a massive shame for us."
Yakubu fell awkwardly after being challenged by Ledley King but the injury did not seem serious at the time.
"We've had no luck injury-wise," added Moyes. "But I'm hopeful that the group will work hard and respond to the challenge, especially (Victor) Anichebe who, although he's only young, has real quality.
"It's well documented that we don't have great amounts of cash here and getting involved in January certainly wouldn't have been our ideal plan.
"But the chairman has always backed me and clearly we can't go through the rest of the season if we only have one fit striker. We'll see where we are and what we can do when the time comes in the new year."