Sources: James Garner injury latest after Everton blow

James Garner is set to miss the remainder of pre-season for Everton after undergoing surgery on a groin injury, sources have told Football Insider.

The midfielder is now on the road to recovery, but is a major doubt for the opening game of the Premier League season.

Everton welcome Crystal Palace to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 22 August, and they face a race against time to get the 25-year-old ready for that clash.

David Moyes relied heavily on the England international in the middle of the park last term, and he didn't miss a single game of Premier League action.

However, the former Manchester United man has been absent for both of the Toffees' pre-season friendlies so far, and now won't be involved in any of their five remaining encounters.

Everton will desperately hope that Garner is fit enough to return on the opening day, but he will not have picked up the same level of match sharpness as his teammates.

Everton at risk of losing James Garner

Garner was a vital part of Everton's progression under Moyes last term, and losing him for the remainder of pre-season is a significant blow.

However, things could yet get even worse for the Toffees before the end of the summer, with interest in him building elsewhere.

Football Insider revealed last week that Aston Villa are exploring the possibility of a deal to sign the England international.

The Villans were heavily linked with Garner back in January, and remain long-term admirers, despite him only recently penning a new deal on Merseyside.

Unai Emery and Co. are working hard to strengthen their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League, and are plotting a move for the Everton star.

He may be out of action at the moment, but the Spanish boss views the star as a player who would instantly improve his midfield options.

Garner tipped to become Everton's record sale

Former Everton scout Bryan King recently told Football Insider that Garner is likely to become the Toffees' record sale whenever he leaves the club.

That record currently stands at the £75million that Manchester United paid to sign Romelu Lukaku back in 2017.

However, King expects that a sale of Garner would likely break that barrier, and pointed to the way that Manchester City's move for Elliot Anderson has distorted the transfer market.

Everton will hope that the sale doesn't have to come this summer, but Villa certainly have the money after netting £117m for Morgan Rogers.