Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has said striker Jonathan Benteke could be out for up to four months with a knee injury.
Benteke, 21 -- the younger brother of fellow Palace forward Christian -- suffered the injury in training.
He joined the Eagles on a free transfer from Belgian club Zulte-Waregem in the summer and made his debut in the win at Middlesbrough earlier this month.
Pardew said after his Riverside cameo that he saw the younger Benteke as one for the future and, even before his injury, it was unlikely he would have been involved in the squad for the game at Everton on Friday.
"We have had a serious knee injury this week to Jonathan Benteke which is going to keep out of action for around three or four months," the manager said.
"In training, his knee locked when he was doing a finishing drill and he unfortunately needs an operation.
"It's a shame for him and us, but the group that travelled last week will go up to Everton plus the addition of [Wilfried] Zaha."
Winger Zaha is fit having missed last weekend's last-gasp win at Sunderland with a slight hamstring strain, and could be back in the Palace side at Goodison Park.
Palace will come up against former favourite Yannick Bolasie, who moved to Everton in the summer for a reported £25 million.
Pardew said Democratic Republic of Congo international Bolasie had nothing to prove against his old club.
AP: Zaha's back in the frame. We had a serious injury to Jonathan Benteke though, which will keep him out for 3 or 4 months.
- Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) September 29, 2016
"I love Yala," he said. "I just hope he is not going to have one of his super games that he is capable of, but of course he will be looking to impress.
"He has nothing to prove to us or our fans -- they still love him."
