Vaughan was accidentally caught on the left leg by Bolton defender Abdoulaye Meite in a challenge on the edge of the area just after the hour of the game at the Reebok Stadium.

It was obvious Vaughan was in considerable pain at the time, while the horrified reaction of team-mate Andy Johnson after witnessing the injury increased the anxiety surrounding the 18-year-old.

Vaughan, who had scored Everton's equaliser in the 33rd minute to cancel out Kevin Davies' opener 15 minutes earlier, was taken off on a stretcher.

He was immediately treated by club doctor Ian Irving, before being transferred to the nearby Beaumont Hospital where he was further assessed.

But following a series of x-rays that confirmed no other problems, Vaughan was released, with instruction to keep his leg elevated.

"Obviously, we are delighted it's not a break or anything like that," said manager David Moyes immediately after the game.

"Knowing him, he will probably want to play next week because he is a tough lad."

Commending Vaughan on his performance, Moyes added: "He was terrific.

"It's as if he has that freshness back, that youthfulness after not playing for most of the season."

It was Vaughan's second goal in four days after scoring Everton's third in a 4-1 Goodison Park victory over Fulham on Friday.