Everton could be without James Garner for the start of the Premier League season after the midfielder underwent surgery on a groin problem.
Garner missed last weekend’s friendly against Dundee with the issue, which the club said would be assessed further. He was absent again on Saturday against Bolton, and Everton confirmed afterwards that the decision had been taken to operate.
The club said the surgery was successful and that Garner has already begun rehabilitation at Finch Farm. He’s targeting a return to first-team training around the opening week of the season — timing that puts his availability for the Crystal Palace game on 16 August in real doubt.
It’s an awkward blow. Garner was voted both Everton’s Men’s Player of the Season and the Players’ Player of the Season for 2025/26, featuring in all 38 Premier League games and racking up more minutes than anyone else in the squad.
Losing him for the start of the campaign leaves David Moyes short of his first-choice central midfield option just as pre-season winds down.
There was better news elsewhere.
Tyler Dibling, who sat out the Bolton game with a minor knock, and Hayden Hackney, still being eased into full training since his arrival from Middlesbrough, are both expected to be involved in the friendly against Stoke City in midweek.
For Garner, the more realistic target may end up being September’s fixtures against Man United and Tottenham, rather than the visit of Palace.
