Preston vs Everton: James Garner injury update emerges ahead of Carabao Cup clash

James Garner's involvement in Everton's Carabao Cup clash against Preston is in question.

The 25-year-old midfielder played about 15 minutes after coming off the bench in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.

He was a surprise inclusion as David Moyes had said in his pre-match press conference that was the midfielder was still recovering from a hernia operation.

The Blues now enter the first domestic cup of the campaign, with a trip to Deepdale to face the boss' former side.

They will hope to give a good account of themselves and get through to the next round.

Despite getting onto the pitch against the Eagles, Garner may not be fit enough to start against the Championship side.

Will James Garner start in Everton's clash with Preston?

The former Nottingham Forest ace is likely to miss out against the Lilywhites.

A report from the Liverpool Echo on Monday claimed that he is not expected to start in the cup clash.

Moyes would ideally have the midfielder back, because he is a key player for the Toffees.

Speaking after the 2-0 win over Forest in December 2025, the manager said: “He was fantastic. I think his goal was terrific.

"The second goal, he did great, he wriggled out of a tight situation and played a good pass. Jimmy played terrifically well."

What did Moyes say about Garner's injury?

Moyes revealed after the Palace win that he only played Garner because of a lack of other options, with other potential bench players ruled out.

Christian Norgaard was out with an unspecified injury, and Tim Iroegbunam is missing with an adductor issue, so the Birkenhead-born star had to feature.

The boss said: “We wouldn't have put him on the bench if we had anything else.

“So we've tried to get, I don't know, maybe 15, 20 minutes out of him today, whatever it was. He's not had any games.

"He's not done any pre-season, but we've needed it because we don't have anybody else at the moment and I knew that if we got in the game like we did, I might have needed him to cover more… but is he ready? No.”

The Hill Dickinson Stadium side need the two-cap international to be back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

He was their standout player last season, earning calls for a World Cup place, although he was not selected by Thomas Tuchel for the tournament.

If they are without him, then it makes their task harder, both against Preston and then in the Premier League, as they try to chase a European berth.

On the other hand, they can't afford to rush him back, and risk him being out for a longer period, given his importance to the side.

It may be a waiting game that will ultimately pay off with Garner returning without the prospect of aggravating the issue.