Neville to avoid surgery

Everton captain Phil Neville is unlikely to need surgery on his knee injury and is progressing well in his rehabilitation. The defender damaged a posterior ligament in the defeat at Fulham last month and is expected to be out until Christmas, although the lack of a need for an operation is seen as a positive by Everton physiotherapist Mick Rathbone. "The surgeon has seen Phil twice now. He was 90% certain he didn't need surgery on the first visit and now he is 99% certain Phil doesn't need an operation," he said. "You can never say never but the way Phil is going in his rehabilitation we're happy he is going to do well."

Source: Eurosport