DRESDEN, GERMANY - JULY 30: Muhamed Besic of Everton arrives before the Dresden Cup match between Real Betis and Everton on July 30, 2016 at DDV-Stadion in Dresden, Germany. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

Muhamed Besic to miss 6 months due to injury

Everton’s Bosnian central midfielder Muhamed Besic is set to spend at least six months on the sidelines due to injury, according to reports from Bosnia.

Besic limped off injured during an appearance in Wayne Rooney’s Testimonial game for Everton against Manchester United on Wednesday evening. Many suggested it could be an ankle injury as Besic walked off under his own power but it’s feared to be much worse.

It’s not confirmed yet what injury Besic has suffered but with a time frame of six months, it is presumed it is a ligament injury, with some reports suggesting it could be in the knee area, prompting speculation of a potential ACL or MCL injury.

Speaking to Sportske in Bosnia, Besic’s father Meho said: “I spoke with Muhammad. He was disappointed and just crushed because of injury.”

Besic is expected to miss almost half of Bosnia’s qualification games for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Besic was expected to make an impact this season under new boss Ronald Koeman as he fits in with Koeman’s high energy pressing midfield. Midfield has been a big area for Koeman to address this summer and Besic had been staking his claim already.

The midfielder had made a good start to pre-season and all the signs for him were positive but once again he has been unable to avoid the injury bug.

This is a repeat story for Besic. Each time he looks like making his mark on the Everton team, he succumbs to injury. His future at the club could be called into question if he is unable to prove that he stay fit for a period of time.

Besic could return before the end of the Premier League season but that is if his recovery goes according to plan.

The signing of Idrissa Gueye will soften the blow of Besic’s injury but Koeman will now need to bring in at least another midfielder. A deal is still in place for Axel Witsel but the Belgian looks to be holding out for interest from Italian giants Juventus.

Koeman is still looking to sign Juan Mata from Manchester United but may now target another combative midfielder instead.