Everton manager Ronald Koeman announced on Friday that midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin will not be fit for the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

It will be a big blow for the Dutchman in what is set to be a huge clash against Liverpool at Anfield –just six points separate the fourth-placed Reds and the seventh-placed Toffees – as both teams eye a top four finish this term.

Schneiderlin has quickly become a key player in the middle of the park for the club following his January transfer window move from Manchester United, but he suffered a slight calf injury in the 4-0 success against Hull City before the international break.

With Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Ramiro Funes Mori also picking up injuries while on duty with their countries last week, Koeman won’t have his strongest squad available at Anfield.

Everton fans were quick to have their say via social media on yet another blow before the derby, and they were less than optimistic about their chances of getting a result at the weekend.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction to the story…