Carlo Ancelotti confirms double injury blow for Everton ahead of Arsenal clash

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that both Allan and James Rodriguez will be unavailable for the Toffees' Premier League clash against Arsenal on Saturday.

The duo have been hugely influential in the club's midfield since their arrivals last summer and their absence is definitely a blow ahead of the meeting against Mikel Arteta's side.

Allan sustained a hamstring injury in the win over Leicester City in midweek and Ancelotti is unclear over the exact timescale for the recovery process.

"Allan had a problem on his hamstring and we don’t know [exactly] how many games he will be out for. But for the games in this period, he is not going to play." He told via the club's official website.

James, on the other hand, has been working his way back to full fitness after a calf problem, but Ancelotti has acknowledged that he won't take a risk, he added: "James is not ready yet. I think it is too soon to put him at risk."

The Colombia international has been a quality performer in the attack with three goals and four assists from 11 games. Ancelotti has hinted that he could return for the League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on December 23.