Everton will be without goaltender Tim Howard for over a month coming up on the English Premier League schedule, as the United States star is dealing with a calf injury and could be out of the lineup for up to six weeks.
According to the BBC, Howard was replaced last week against Stoke during halftime of the matchup on December 26 and now he could be out for over a month. The 35 year old American now gives way to Spanish goalkeeper Joel Robles for the time being and Everton is going to have to find a way to hold on without Howard. Everton comes in at 12th on the EPL table and they have not played well over the past stretch, winning just once over the last seven matchups in league play.
The team is just five points clear of relegation and now things will be even tougher without Howard in the lineup. Robles has not played much and now he will get his chance after Howard was injured. Howard comes in having played in over 300 games in his Premier League career and he starred this summer for the United States in the World Cup in Brazil.
"Tim will be out for between five and six weeks," said boss Roberto Martinez. "It is an injury to his left calf. As a goalkeeper it's really unusual to get an injury by kicking a ball."