Fabian Delph dealt injury blow after impressing Everton boss Rafa Benitez

Fabian Delph has missed the last two Everton matches with a shoulder problem

Fabian Delph is recovering from a dislocated shoulder but Rafa Benitez has been told he could be out for up to six weeks.

Delph picked up the injury in training ahead of Everton's cup tie with Huddersfield Town last month.

Benitez has described the midfielder as "unlucky" to have suffered the dislocation and though he was reluctant to put an exact timescale on Delph's return, he conceded it could be over a month before he is fit to play again.

READ MORE: Rafa Benitez makes Farhad Moshiri spending claim after £1.7m Everton transfers

"I expect he will be out for some weeks," Benitez said.

"I don’t want to say exactly how long but between four to six weeks. That is what they told me.”

"He was unlucky," Benitez added, when confirming the injury was picked up at Finch Farm.

"I know people talk about him not doing well or having injuries, and I had the impression when I came he was not a player who did not play much because of injuries. But I have no doubt about his quality and I will say his commitment in every training session from day one was really good."

Benitez has already gone on record to confirm he was ready to sell Delph earlier in the summer but the midfield made it clear he wanted to stay at Goodison for the final year of his contract and work under the new manager.

The Spanish coach had been impressed with the 31-year-old's attitude and application.

"He was really positive," Benitez said about Delph, before this latest injury set-back.

"He was working hard and I was pleased to give him a chance. The injury was bad luck in the training session. He was feeling well and I thought he could give us experience and quality.”

Delph has been dogged by injury since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2019, managing to play only 25 times in the Premier League for the Blues.