James Vaughan won't appear for Everton Football Club again until next year.

The young forward has been blighted by injuries since bursting onto the scene in 2005, and a knee problem picked up in training is set to sideline him for at least five weeks.

"James Vaughan twisted his right knee last Friday," Toffees head physio Mick Rathbone confirmed to the club's official website. "He will be out until the New Year.

"The only saving grace is that it is not the knee he has had so much trouble with in the past. It's a terrible shame for James after all the problems he's had in the past. But, unfortunately, that's football."