Garner recovering from groin surgery as Everton draw at Bolton

[Getty Images] Everton midfielder James Garner could miss the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season after undergoing surgery on his groin. The 25-year-old, who was absent in last weekend's pre-season friendly against Dundee, has now started his rehabilitation at Finch Farm and is expected to return to first-team training around the opening week of the new season. The club shared the news after Saturday's goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers in which Jarrad Branthwaite returned to the Blues starting line-up. The defender, who has been side lined since April, featured in a new-look Everton back five alongside James Tarkowski, Jake O'Brien, Adam Aznou and Merlin Rohl. Thierno Barry had the ball in the back of the net from close range in the first-half, but the offside flag was lifted and they went into the break goalless. David Moyes made five substitutions at half-time as Tom King, Michael Keane, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Vitalii Mykolenko and Tyrique George were all introduced. Beto had the best of the chances in the second-half, but the striker sent his shot wide of the hosts' goal. Five of Everton's under-21s' squad finished the match as Blues pushed for a winner until the very end. Stoke City are Everton's next opponents on Tuesday, 28 July (19:45 BST) and winger Tyler Dibling, who missed Saturday's match due to a minor knock, and summer signing Hayden Hackney are expected to be available.