Yerry Mina will have to wait at least another month to play for Everton due to the lingering effect of a World Cup injury.
Everton paid £28.5million to sign Mina on transfer deadline day but the Colombia international has so far been unable to train with his new team-mates, owing to what head coach Marco Silva last week described as "small foot issue".
It has become apparent, though, that the problem is more serious than has been disclosed.
Mina, who finished the last 16 World Cup tie against England hobbling, is not on crutches and does not require surgery but he has been limping at Everton's Finch Farm training base.
As a result, he has been limited to doing just gym work.
Silva has confirmed the 23-year-old will not play before the international break - Everton travel to Bournemouth on Saturday then face Huddersfield - and his club hope that the first match against West Ham on September 16 is a suitable starting point.
The likelihood, however, is that it will be the end of September before he is completely fit and that would mean the Good Park contest with Fulham is a more realistic target, particularly as Silva wants his players to have good physical condition before considering them for selection.
'It is something he is recovering from an old injury,' said Silva. 'It is not something that has happened here. It is not something special. The report I had from our medical staff is that it is not serious, but you have to take more days to put him in that level.'
If Mina is waiting impatiently to launch his Everton career, the opposite is true for Ademola Lookman, who wants to secure a move away from Goodison to RB Leipzig before the European window closes on August 31.
Silva is a fan of Lookman's ability but he has made it clear that he will tolerate any sulking if a move fails to materialise.
He has also indicated that the decision on whether to keep the England Under-21 international will be taken out of his hands if Leipzig make a significant bid.
'All of you know what is my technical opinion of the player and he knows my thoughts as well,' said Silva.
'It's not an issue. After, when you talk about business, that is not my role. I can advise every time and I will do that for sure.
'I understand why some clubs are interested in him because he is a good player with a lot of talent.
'It is easy to solve these things. 100 per cent I don't give them a chance to disturb something. They know when they come through the gate what their obligation is at Finch Farm.'