[Getty Images]Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is "unlikely" to feature again for the Toffees this season due to a hamstring injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday.

The 23-year-old was in tears as he left the pitch on a stretcher in the 87th minute and was seen leaving on crutches, with boss David Moyes saying after the match he was concerned the injury "could be serious".

Branthwaite missed the first five months of the season - having hamstring surgery in October - and returned to the side in January.

However, in a statement released on Wednesday the club said his latest injury is unrelated and a scan shows he does not require an operation.

How big a blow is this to the Toffees as they chase European football? Is this more of a worry with is recent injury history?