Phil Jagielka will not be fit enough to start for Everton when Manchester City visit Goodison Park for Wednesday's Capital One Cup semifinal first leg, says manager Roberto Martinez.
Jagielka, 33, has not featured in his side's last 12 games because of a knee injury he sustained in October.
But while the Everton captain was an unused substitute in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham, Martinez confirmed it was only in case he needed to make a late change and said Jagielka's next start could be against Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup on Saturday.
"He is not fit," the Spaniard said in a news conference. "Today [Sunday] he would have been fit for 15 minutes maximum. The FA Cup third round is a more realistic target to start."
Martinez, whose team had conceded seven goals in their previous two home games, said he wanted Jagielka involved as he looked to improve their defensive record.
"For us it was important to have the figure of a captain who could give us a comfort feeling," he added.
John Stones and summer signing Ramiro Funes Mori have been paired in the centre of the back four in Jagielka's absence, but Everton have the worst home defensive record in the Premier League.
Martinez is yet to reveal when midfielder James McCarthy, who came off injured in Monday's 4-3 defeat to Stoke, is set to return.
He also faces a decision whether to recall Gerard Deulofeu against City or to retain Aaron Lennon, who scored against his former club Tottenham on Sunday.