South African midfielder Pienaar, who scored the winner at Tottenham yesterday on his return from a knee problem, revealed how upset Yakubu was after suffering his Achilles injury.

Pienaar said: "It is a huge blow to lose Yak and we are all so sorry for him.

"We know the quality he has got and the type of person he is. I spoke to Yak at half-time and he was really down.

"Maybe the win and the goal will have given him a little bit of lift. We hope he is better again quickly.

"His presence alone in the team gives the players a boost, so it is really unfortunate for him to pick up an injury like this when we are not even halfway through the season."

Everton also lost striker Louis Saha with a hamstring injury sustained at White Hart Lane and he could be out until Christmas.

With young frontman James Vaughan due to have a cartilage operation in Colorado this week - his recovery could be between six weeks and three months - Everton have lost three strikers in a matter of days.

It means that until the January transfer window opens, Victor Anichebe is likely to be given the chance to lead the attack, probably with Tim Cahill pushed into a more advanced attacking role from midfield.

Otherwise, Everton only have 19-year-old reserve Lukas Jutkiewicz to call on to play up front.

Yakubu could need an operation, but a decision will not be made until the injury has 'settled down'.

Manager David Moyes will now have to look at the loan market for striking reinforcements.

Prior to the Tottenham game be admitted there was unlikely to be much cash to spend during the next window.

Everton have been linked with German striker Lukas Podolski, but sources at the club have discounted that target. CSKA Moscow's Vagner Love is on Moyes' wish-list, but again the lack of transfer funds is a handicap to a permanent move.

Everton could rival Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham for Wigan's England striker Emile Heskey.

Wigan's chairman Dave Whelan conceded today that he may have to cash in on the 30-year-old now, or lose him for nothing in the summer when his contract runs out.

Wigan expect to get £4million for Heskey, but Everton do not have the resources to get involved in an auction.

Moyes says: "I think it will have to be loans, that will be where we will try to see what is available.

"The club gives me all the money they can but as most people know there are not big cash reserves so we will have to do what we can.

"Vaughan will have his operation this week, and it could be between six weeks and three months before he can play again.

"Victor is going to get opportunities in the coming weeks and sometimes in life when you get chances you have to make the most of them. He did well when he came on at Spurs.

"Injuries happen in football but we are disappointed for Yak because he is a really important player for us and we will miss him.

"I have a really good chairman and board and I am sure they will do everything they can to help (financially)."

The double injury blow took the gloss off Everton's victory, and the way they bounced back from a dreadful display in defeat at Wigan the week earlier.

Pienaar said: "After that performance, we had to prove to the people that we could play as a team again and it was a great opportunity for us.

"That is the great thing about football. You always get the chance to prove your last game was an accident, but the main thing now is not to get carried away.

"We just need to keep working hard. If you look at my season, it has been a rollercoaster so I was pleased with my performance and to get my first goal. That is a definite relief.

"I am not an out-and-out goalscorer but if I can get a few more, I will be really happy."

Everton are to assess Saha's condition over the coming days and are hopeful the Frenchman will soon be back in action.

Head physio Mick Rathbone told the club's official website, www.evertonfc.com: "Louis Saha had a muscle spasm in his hamstring.

"It doesn't look too serious and we will be evaluating it over the next few days."

Yakubu, meanwhile, had a scan on his Achilles today and will undergo an operation in London tomorrow.