Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta will miss the rest of the season after he ruptured a cruciate ligament in his right knee against Newcastle.

The Spaniard, who has scored seven goals this season, was carried off the field after only three minutes at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

Everton, held 0-0 by Newcastle, announced on Monday that scans revealed the injury was as bad as feared and the talented midfielder would be sidelined for several months.

Arteta’s absence is the latest injury headache for manager David Moyes, who has been without three strikers for a long spell. Ayegbeni Yakubu has been sidelined since November with a ruptured Achilles tendon, James Vaughan has had surgery on a knee injury and Louis Saha has only just returned to action because of persistent hamstring problems.

Sixth place Everton failed to beat a Newcastle side which played the second half with 10 men after Kevin Nolan was sent off. The Toffees are four points behind fifth place Arsenal and 10 behind fourth place Aston Villa.