Overview
- The club announced on Saturday that Garner had successful surgery for a pre-season groin problem and will spend the rest of pre-season in rehabilitation.
- Everton say he has started rehab at Finch Farm and the medical team is targeting a return to first-team training around the opening week of the Premier League season.
- Reports place Garner as doubtful for the August 22 opener against Crystal Palace because the expected recovery period is roughly one month.
- Idrissa Gana Gueye has left after his contract expired and Everton have already signed Hayden Hackney but are seeking an additional, more defensive-minded midfielder to cover short-term gaps.
- Garner was Everton’s player of the season who logged the most minutes and led key passing and defensive stats last term, and his availability will shape David Moyes’s early-season lineup and tactics.