Injured Mirallas to miss Everton run-in

London (AFP) - Everton's Champions League qualification hopes suffered a blow on Tuesday as it was revealed that Kevin Mirallas will miss the final three games of the season with a groin injury.

"Kevin Mirallas will miss the remaining three games of the season," read a statement on the club website.

The 26-year-old Belgian winger limped off after scoring the second goal in his side's 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

Everton said that he had sustained "a small tear in his groin" and would be "out for the next three weeks".

The Belgium international has been in impressive form of late, scoring three times and supplying three assists in his last five appearances to help bolster Everton's push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

He is scheduled to miss matches against Southampton, Manchester City and Hull City, but manager Roberto Martinez said that he should recover in time to play for Belgium at the World Cup in Brazil.

"It is not a major injury. It could be anything up to five or six weeks, and that's looking at the worst-case scenario," Martinez told the club website.

"The most important aspect now is that we get him fully fit and ready to participate with Belgium in the World Cup."

Martinez also revealed that centre-back Sylvain Distin is likely to miss Saturday's meeting with Southampton due to a hamstring problem.

Everton currently trail Arsenal by a point in the race for the fourth and final Champions League place.