Yobo has been a key figure for Everton this season

Everton's Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo could be back in first-team action before the end of the month.

Yobo has not played since limping out of the 0-0 draw with Chelsea on 22 December with a hamstring injury.

Although Everton have remained unbeaten and not conceded a goal in the three games he has missed, manager David Moyes would like to get him back.

He said: "I do not think that Yobo will be too far away but Louis Saha is probably four or five weeks away."

And Moyes also revealed there is a glimmer of hope for striker James Vaughan, who could now return before the end of the current campaign.

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Vaughan is recovering from yet another knee operation, and has not played since a substitute appearance at Middlesbrough in November.

He had been expected to be out for the season, but Moyes said: "We may well get Vaughan back before the end of the season now."

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