Everton were without big summer signing Michael Keane on Sunday as they were defeated by Leicester, and caretaker boss David Unsworth has confirmed the gruesome reason behind his absence.
Keane has been sent to hospital after a gash on his leg picked up in a recent match became infected and spread.
The former Manchester United academy star picked up a knock during a recent cup game against Sunderland on September 20.
Everton had been monitoring the recovery of the young defender, only for the wound to flare up and become infected.