Neville to miss Pompey game

Posted Sunday, May 09, 2010 by PA

Everton captain Phil Neville will miss the game against Portsmouth after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee.

Neville went under the knife on Thursday and Toffees manager David Moyes confirmed to the club's website that the 33-year-old will miss the Barclays Premier League finale at Goodison Park.

"Phil Neville has had orthoscopic surgery on his knee," Moyes told www.evertonfc.com.

"After his injury earlier this season he had a slight touch on his cartilage so it has been repaired now. It means he won't play against Portsmouth, though."

Neville missed more than three months of the season after damaging his left knee in a challenge with Fulham's Dickson Etuhu on September 13.

John Heitinga is hoping to feature. The Dutch utility player has missed the last two games with a hairline fracture of the ankle but has returned to training.

Moyes admits playing Heitinga would be a risk but says he is "desperate" to take part and will be given a fitness test.

Marouane Fellaini (ankle) and Dan Gosling (knee) are the Toffees' other major absentees.

Avram Grant has pledged to field his fittest players for already-relegated Portsmouth, but warned it will not be the same team as will play in next Saturday's FA Cup final.

Boss Grant has a least 10 players doubtful, but could spring a surprise by recalling Pompey's Player of the Year Jamie O'Hara who is training again after missing the last four games with a back injury.

Defenders Hermann Hreidarsson (Achilles) and Tal Ben Haim (groin), striker Danny Webber (knee) and midfielder Richard Hughes (hamstring) are definitely out.