Left-back suffered injury on ankle
Everton boss Roberto Martinez has described the injury to left-back Leighton Baines as a “disaster”.
The 30-year-old defender missed the final two games of last season due to a separate injury to the same ankle.
“We don’t know how long he will be out for, but it has been a real disaster,” said Martinez.
“We were preparing for the Watford game and in training, he blocks the ball and it hits him in exactly the same place where he had surgery.”
The Toffees drew their opening game of the season 2-2 at home to Watford and will have to see a considerable period of the new campaign without their star defender.
The England international also looks set to miss Euro Qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland early in September.
Devastating Blow
“It was devastating, because he had worked so hard and looked stronger than ever,” added Martinez, who replaced Baines with Brendan Galloway against Watford.
“I don’t think I had seen him looking as powerful and refreshed in the last two seasons. Then there was this big knock.
“We still have to find out how long it will be, but it is not going to be just two or three weeks – I think it is going to be a little bit longer than that.”
When asked if Baines would require another operation, Martinez went on to say: “We don’t know, but it could be.
“The surgery was to reinforce that ligament in his ankle and we still need to see the real extent of the damage. After the inflammation, we will find out.”
By Phil Wellbrook
