When James Garner is expected to return after surgery as Everton trio ruled out

James Garner looks set to miss the start of Everton's Premier League campaign after undergoing surgery.

The England international missed last week's friendly against Dundee due to an issue to his groin.

Everton said the problem would be assessed before a further update was provided.

Well that update has now been delivered ahead of Saturday's latest friendly against Bolton Wanderers.

And it is bad news for both Garner and Everton as the midfielder required a minor operation.

Further details on his return have been shared, along with an update on two other injured Everton players.

Everton injury latest as James Garner ruled out

Goodison News covered the initial news of Garner's injury blow at Everton last week.

Everton confirmed via their official website on Saturday afternoon that Garner has undergone successful surgery on his groin.

He has already started his rehabilitation at Finch Farm and is expected to return to training around the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

That means he is almost certain to miss the Toffees' clash with Crystal Palace on 22 August.

Tyler Dibling and Hayden Hackney were also absent for the friendly against Bolton at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Dibling was ruled out due to a minor knock, while summer signing Hackney is still recovering from an injury sustained at the end of last season.

Everton confirmed both players should return for the midweek friendly against Stoke City.

For Garner, though, the wait for a return is longer.

What other games could Garner now miss?

This news is a massive blow for David Moyes.

Garner would have started the opening match against Palace, but there is surely no chance of that happening now.

Assuming the Englishman is back in training from around this time next month, he is then in a race against time to feature against Bournemouth on 29 August.

Everton then have clashes with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on 6 and 12 September respectively.

The hope is that Garner, hailed a "leader" by Moyes earlier this year, is able to quickly work his way back to fitness

But after missing pretty much the entire of pre-season, that will be easier said than done.