Everton manager Sam Allardyce has said he is optimistic that club record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson will be back before the end of the season.
On Wednesday, the club suggested in a statement that the Iceland international midfielder's knee injury would sideline him for six to eight weeks.
However, Allardyce was unhappy with that estimate.
"Someone gave out the wrong statement. It can be less than that. Whoever gave that statement out is going to get a b--------g today, so well done," he said.
"You cannot predict a length of injury in its entirety because you have people who heal quicker. Obviously Gylfi's recovery time could be shorter than we might expect.
"Medics and specialists give a conservative view and you try to beat that and try to get Gylfi back as soon as you can.
"We have a highly-qualified medical staff and equipment to try to speed up any injury and I always felt it the wrong thing to do to tag an injury for its time limits because people recover quicker than others.
"You want to avoid setbacks so they don't react that time and if you can get it before then you have perhaps done well.
"For me it is how is it in the next two weeks? When you sustain an injury immediately after there is a settling down period and then it is how quickly the player recovers.
"Gylfi's motivation is obviously to get back playing for us and playing for Iceland in the World Cup."
Sigurdsson's absence offers a potential vacancy in the No. 10 role, which could be filled by Wayne Rooney, Tom Davies or Davy Klaassen.
Netherlands international Klaassen made his first Premier League appearance since September as a late substitute in last weekend's win over Brighton.
"It's been a struggle for Davy since he arrived but, when he gets an opportunity and if he gets an opportunity, hopefully he will shine and show what he achieved at Ajax," Allardyce said.
"It's not just Davy who has struggled in his first season in the Premier League."
Allardyce was spotted at Manchester United's midweek Champions League match against Sevilla, with whose midfielder Steven Nzonzi he worked while Blackburn manager.
Asked about his trip to Old Trafford, Allardyce said: "I went to watch a couple of players from Sevilla."