Eliaquim Mangala joined Everton on loan from Manchester City on deadline day

The defender sustained a serious knee injury in the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace

There are fears that Mangala suffered damage to his ligaments in the incident

If Mangala suffered cruciate ligament damage he would be out until next season

Eliaquim Mangala's Everton career may be over before it has even had chance to get properly started due to significant knee injury.

The France international moved to Goodison Park on loan on deadline day last month, with Sam Allardyce delighted to have found a left-sided defender. Mangala's ambition was to use the next few months to secure a move away from Manchester City.

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However, Mangala's immediate future is uncertain due to an injury he sustained in the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.

Eliaquim Mangala shakes hands with Sam Allardyce after sustaining the serious knee injury

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He was substituted just before half-time, having fallen awkwardly, and the fear is that he has suffered damage to his ligaments.

There is no indication yet as to whether it a problem with his medial ligament or, the worst case scenario, his cruciate; if it was the latter, Mangala would be looking at a lay-off until the start of next season at the earliest.

Everton only have 11 Premier League games to play before the end of the campaign and Mangala would be ineligible for the home game with City on March 31 but it remains to be seen whether he will figure at all.

The club's medical staff will continue to assess him before deciding the next course of action.