Everton's James Garner is set to miss the remainder of pre-season after undergoing surgery on a groin injury. The midfielder, who played a vital role in the team's progression under David Moyes last term, will now face a race against time to be fit for the opening game of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace on 22 August.
What happened?
Garner's injury is a significant blow to Everton, who are currently preparing for the new season with a league standing of 8th in Premier League, 47 pts, 13W-8D-11L from 32 games, and a recent form of DWLWW. The England international did not miss a single game of Premier League action last term, but his absence in pre-season has raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming season.
Why it matters for Everton
Everton will desperately hope that Garner is fit enough to return on the opening day, but he will not have picked up the same level of match sharpness as his teammates. The team's next fixture is vs Leeds at home on 2027-02-10, and they will need all their key players to be fit and ready.
What comes next?
Aston Villa are reportedly exploring the possibility of a deal to sign Garner, who recently penned a new deal on Merseyside. Former Everton scout Bryan King believes that Garner is likely to become the Toffees' record sale whenever he leaves the club, with the current record standing at £75million. Everton will hope that the sale doesn't have to come this summer, but Villa certainly have the money after netting £117m for Morgan Rogers. With the new season just around the corner, Everton will need to ensure that they have a strong squad in place to compete with the likes of Arsenal, who are currently 23 points ahead in the title race. The Toffees have scored 39 goals and conceded 37, with a goal difference of +2, and will need to improve on these statistics if they are to challenge for a top spot.
