Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has suffered a setback in his recovery from a serious knee injury, manager David Moyes has confirmed.

Arteta snapped a cruciate ligament during a match against Newcastle in February.

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He was expected to step up his rehabilitation in the next month only to suffer an infection in the injury.

Moyes said: "We have had to wash out the knee. It is a setback but I cannot say for how long."

Moyes will be again down on numbers for the Europa League match against Benfica tomorrow at Goodison Park.

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John Heitinga and Lucas Neill are sidelined as they are both ineligible for the Group I game.

Louis Saha (calf), Tony Hibbert (flu) are doubtful but Steven Pienaar could be on the bench after a knee problem.

Leon Osman, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka and Victor Anichebe remain absent.

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