Everton boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed defender Leighton Baines will be out of action until pre-season having undergone ankle surgery.
The England international was forced from the field in Everton’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Sunderland in their last outing at Goodison Park.
Baines has been struggling with ankle issues for the past three seasons, according to Martinez, who confirmed the 30-year-old has now gone under the knife to resolve the problem.
“He has had surgery. It was straightforward. He will be out until the start of pre-season,” Martinez said.
Luke Garbutt was the man to replace the veteran against the Black Cats and looks set to play at left-back for the last two games of the Premier League season.
Meanwhile, Baines will also be forced to miss England’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland on June 7 and their Euro 2016 qualifier with Slovenia seven days later.
The Toffees will continue life without Baines when they travel to West Ham on Saturday, with both clubs having very little to play for at this stage of the season.
Everton are 2.50 to win, 3.25 to draw and 2.80 to lose at Upton Park.
Martinez’s side will finish their season on home soil when they host Tottenham Hotspur on May 24.
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