James Garner

Garner has undergone successful surgery to address the groin issue identified during preseason and has begun his rehabilitation at Finch Farm, with a return to first team training targeted around the opening week of the Premier League season, according to the club.

Analysis: Garner finished last season with two goals and seven assists across 38 starts, establishing himself as one of Everton's most productive attacking outlets in the final third, so this surgery is a significant setback given his importance to the team. His recovery is described as progressing as expected, though his targeted return timeline means he could miss the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League campaign, and his rehabilitation will be worth monitoring closely as the season approaches.

Jul 18, 2026

Dealing with groin issue

Garner is not an option for Saturday's friendly against Dundee after experiencing discomfort in his groin following his return to training, with the issue set to be reviewed next week, according to the club.

Analysis: Garner finished last season with two goals and seven assists across 38 starts, establishing himself as one of Everton's most productive attacking outlets in the final third. His groin discomfort is a new development that will need to be monitored closely, and the upcoming review should provide more clarity on his timeline heading into the rest of preseason.