James Garner undergoes surgery as Everton handed new season injury worry

The midfielder, one of the best players of last season for the Blues, had an operation on a groin injury that came to light in the early days of the club’s pre-season.

The club said the surgery was successful and that he was targeting a return to first team training around the opening week of the season.

Garner was absent from the club’s opening pre-season friendly against Dundee last weekend due to the groin issue, which the club said would be assessed in the following days.

The investigations that followed led to the decision to undergo surgery, and he has now started his rehabilitation at the club’s training ground.

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Everton said: “The Blues midfielder has begun his rehabilitation at Finch Farm and is progressing as expected, with a return to first-team training being targeted around the opening week of the Premier League season, subject to his continued recovery.”

Garner’s injury comes after confirmation teammate Idrissa Gueye would not return to the club following the expiration of his contract this summer. Everton are understood to be targeting another midfielder.

Garner was one of several high-profile absences from the club’s squad for the friendly at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday. Tyler Dibling missed out with a “minor knock” and Hayden Hackney, one of three summer signings, was not involved as he continues to be “integrated” into the squad following his move from Middlesbrough.

Everton said both Dibling and Hackney were expected to be involved in the friendly at Stoke City on Tuesday.