Tim Howard will be out of goal for Everton for up to six weeks with a calf injury.

Everton will turn to Joel Robles with Howard out.

"Tim will be out for between five and six weeks," said Roberto Martinez. "It is an injury to his left calf. As a goalkeeper it's really unusual to get an injury by kicking a ball."

Everton's only other goalkeeping options are 18-year-olds Russell Griffiths and Jindrich Stanek, who have both never played a senior game for the club.

Luka Modric won't rush back from his thigh injury, but he expects to be ready by mid-February when Real Madrid resumes its Champions League title defense against Schalke.

Modric injured a thigh muscle during Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifier with Italy in November, and was sent for surgery to repair the problem.

The midfielder was expected to be out for three months.

"Forecasts have indicated that in mid-February I could play again. I won't rush my recovery but I'll be ready for the important battles.

"When I was told I faced three months out, I feared the worst as I remembered when I broke my leg in 2009, but in the end I looked on the bright side.

"If it had to happen, it's better that it did during this period so I can return in time for the first round of matches with titles at stake.

"I think Madrid can become the first club to win the Champions League twice in a row."

Liverpool expects Daniel Sturridge to return from injury in early January.

Sturridge has been out for most of this season with a thigh injury. Sturridge has played in just three matches after picking up an injury on international duty in September and then a setback in November.

Sturridge is currently in Boston continuing his rehab program.

Asked by reporters when Sturridge was likely to be back in action, Rodgers said: "That will probably be just after the Christmas period. The first phase of his rehab was out in LA where we did some specific work with him there.

"He's gone to Boston to pick up the next stage, then he'll move on again to a specialist facility out there and hopefully in the early part of the new year he'll be back and be somewhere close to being fit and playing," he continued. "At some stage in January, we'll look to get Dan back. That will be really exciting for this team.

"We'll put him into the mix again and go back to that flow of our game and results, hopefully."

Sergio Ramos played in the Club World Cup final with a torn muscle in his thigh, which Real Madrid on 2-0 over San Lorenzo.

Ramos was named player of the tournament.

"Being honest I risked a lot to play," Ramos said. "There was a risk of worsening the injury. I had a little tear, but fortunately it has not got any worse. It was worth it."

Ramos said he was happy with his contribution to this year's club success, while dedicating the win to Real players worldwide.

"On a personal level I am very happy," he said. "I try and give my best and I have contributed with goals. We have won a trophy that we have not won for a long while. This is for madridismo and for my family.

"It is a special day for the club's fans. This is the fruit of the efforts and of having won the Champions League last season. We dedicate it to allmadridismo."

Daniel Sturridge has been out with injury since August and will work with the Boston Red Sox medical staff.

Sturridge is due to fly to Boston on Wednesday with Liverpool’s head of performance, Glen Driscoll, to link up with medical staff from the Red Sox, who are also owned by John W Henry’s Fenway Sports Group. 

The 25-year-old first injured his thigh during an England training session for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland in September and was ruled out for up to three weeks. Sturridge then suffered another setback – this time to his calf – having returned to training at Melwood before being ruled out again with a fresh thigh problem.

The former Manchester City and Chelsea player, who signed a new five-year contract with Liverpool at the start of October, has hinted that his persistent muscle injuries could be hereditary. “I play my game as best I can, but I’ve been unfortunate this season,” he told TalkSport.

“Maybe it’s my body type, maybe it’s hereditary. Both my uncles had injuries, and my dad had them as well. Maybe it’s the Caribbean vibes, maybe I have speed but maybe it makes you more vulnerable because of the fast twitch muscles and the speed in which you’re moving.

“I am vulnerable to muscle injuries. As long as I continue to work hard everything will take care of itself.”

Mario Balotelli is back in training after a six-match absence due to groin injury and could play on Sunday for Liverpool against Manchester United.

Balotelli has not played since the 2-1 home Premier League defeat to Chelsea on Nov. 8, and his injury forced him to pull out of the Italy squad for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia eight days later.

Balotelli has not scored a league goal for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield from AC Milan.

Aaron Ramsey will miss the Christmas period for Arsenal with a hamstring injury.

"We have the scan last night and I don't know enough the extent of his injury," Arsene Wenger told a news conference, adding that he could not put a timescale on the Wales international's recovery period. "It's a shame because he was getting close to his form."

Ramsey scored a remarkable volley in the Champions League this week.

James Rodríguez is expected to miss Real Madrid's FIFA Club Wold Cup with a right calf muscle injury.

Carlo Ancelotti told Mediaset on Sunday that he is not optimistic about the Colombia international's chances of recovering in time for the tournament.

"I don't think James will be able to play," Ancelotti said. "Calf injuries take a while to heal; it's difficult to see him recovering in time."

Sergio Agüero will be out up to seven weeks with knee ligament damage.

Agüergo suffered distension of the lateral ligament of his left knee, according to reports in his homeland.

Manchester City is relieved Agüero didn't suffer more damage to the knee, though full results will be revealed on Monday or Tuesday.

But Manuel Pellegrinit faces a problem at striker with with Stevan Jovetic, who would normally start instead of Agüero, a doubt because of a hamstring problem while Edin Dzeko is not 100% fit following a calf injury.

Sergio Agüero injured his left knee in the second minute of Manchester City's 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday.

Agüero left in tears after twisting his knee in an early challenge.

Manuel Pellegrini confirmed he fears a torn ACL.

“We will know more tomorrow,” Pellegrini said. “At this stage we have to say he will probably miss the next game in Rome, it is very difficult to recover from a ligament problem in three days. Of course it is a big problem for us because Sergio was in a very good moment, we will miss him in Rome, but he is not the only one. David Silva is not yet ready to come back, Stevan Jovetic has a hamstring problem that also needs checking out tomorrow, Edin Dzeko is not fully fit yet and if you include Vincent Kompany, we might have to play in Rome without five key players.

“Considering we had so many missing I was pleased to beat a very good Everton team and get a bit nearer to Chelsea,” Pellegrini continued. “After the Chelsea result at Newcastle the way we won today was important. We did it without our main attacking players but the defence did very well too. I am not going to complain about the number of injuries we have, we have a squad and I will not use injuries as an excuse. But clearly losing key players in December makes life harder. This is always a difficult month, and I am pleased we are still winning and still in touch with Chelsea.

“Maybe you don’t win the title in December but if you are going for the title your results in December can be key.”