David Moyes is disappointed that there is a two-week break before Everton can continue their campaign for a European spot.
After the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday, the Toffees now have to wait until Sunday, March 18 when they take on Arsenal.
And with an international break following that game, Moyes will have to wait until April, when the games then come thick and fast until the end of the shirt.
"It is disappointing," he told evertonfc.com. "We have got one game in 28 days and that one game comes against Arsenal.
"What it does mean is that our season will kick off in April and we were on the verge of getting back to full strength and then we go and lose one one of our influential players."
The draw with the Blades saw Everton climb to sixth place in the table.
"We are aiming to try and stay up there if we can," continued Moyes. "We will need to play much better than we did but if you had asked if we would take four points from Watford away and Sheffield United away I think we would all have said 'yes' to that.
"It wasn't a game that suited Mikel Arteta or Manuel Fernandes so that is why we have had Tim and Cars (Lee Carsley) playing in the centre of midfield to make us a bit tougher."
