Everton are facing a nervous wait to discover if Sylvain Distin’s hamstring injury will keep him out of their final three matches of the season.
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The centre-back, 36, was forced off at half-time on Sunday as Roberto Martinez’s side beat Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League at Goodison Park.
Antolin Alcaraz made his first appearance since January when he replaced Distin in his role partnering 19-year-old John Stones in the centre of Everton’s defence.
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caption:The win over United was Distin's 32nd league start of the season.
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Alcaraz and Stones ensured a clean sheet to complete a win that kept the Toffees one point behind fourth-placed Arsenal in the race for England’s final Champions League spot.
Everton’s defensive strength has been tested by a hamstring injury that has kept captain Phil Jagielka out of action for almost two months.
Jagielka is set to play a behind-closed-doors friendly this week to build up his match fitness ahead of a return to action.
And manager Martinez is hoping that Distin, who will have a scan on Monday, is able to return quickly.
Martinez said after Sunday’s match: "Sylvain will have a scan tomorrow. He felt his hamstring, so we hope we pulled him out at the right time.
“If it is damaged, it will be difficult for him to play again this season but it could be 10 days or two weeks.”
Everton travel to Southampton next Saturday, then host Manchester City seven days later before completing their season at Hull on May 11.