SOCCER: Everton striker Victor Anichebe has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho plans to return to first team action next week.

Anichebe has not played since the challenge by Newcastle's Kevin Nolan during a league match at St James' Park last month.

He sought specialist advice in London yesterday but a scan on the damaged cartilage in his right knee proved inconclusive, so he will now undergo exploratory surgery.

"He's damaged his cartilage and is out for the season," said his manager David Moyes on the club's website www.evertonfc.com.

"It's a blow for the boy as he'd just got back into the team, and it's another player we have lost."

Fellow striker Ayegbeni Yakubu and key midfielder Mikel Arteta are also out for the rest of the campaign.

In Carvalho’s case, he has vowed not to be rushed back from his hamstring problem but expects to return next week.

The Portugal international has been sidelined since the end of January with his last appearance coming in the FA Cup fourth-round victory over Ipswich.

Carvalho suffered an initial injury against Hull City last October, before returning to action under former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari two months later.

But he managed just five games before suffering a recurrence of the problem, and this time he has vowed he will not be back in new manager Guus Hiddink's plans until he is fully fit.

Carvalho, who featured for the Blues' reserves team on Monday night, said: "This time we did things properly. My rehab was much better than the previous one when we made some mistakes.

"I came back a little too early and in the training I broke down, so after that it takes twice the time it should.

"This time I am feeling stronger and the muscle is okay, so next week I will start to play for the first team."

Chelsea are seven points behind Manchester United in the title race and have played a game more than the reigning champions.