Magic Merlin out for a spell

GERMAN MIDFIELDER RECOVERING FROM SURGERY AND WILL BE OUT OF ACTION 'FOR A FEW WEEKS'

- By PAUL WHEELOCK ECHO Reporter

EVERTON manager David Moyes has revealed that summer signing Merlin Rohl is set for a spell on the sidelines.

The midfielder, who joined on a season-long loan from Freiburg on transfer deadline day, has undergone an operation on a hernia injury.

He becomes the third Everton player to go under the knife recently after defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Nathan Patterson.

Rohl has impressed Moyes in training at Finch Farm and has made four encouraging performances off the bench. But he will miss Monday's trip to Manchester United and be out for a “few weeks.”

The Blues boss said at his press conference yesterday: “Unfortunately, Merlin had an operation a week last Monday on his hernia. It’s going to keep him out for a few weeks.

“Hopefully by the time we get around to December, he'll be fit and ready to go again.”