James Garner and Seamus Coleman injury updates as midfielder works with Everton sports science team

Garner and Coleman are both dealing with calf issues and will miss the opening game of the season. Sean Dyche is hopeful they will not be absent for long

15:19, 16 Aug 2024

James Garner during the pre-season friendly match between Coventry City and Everton FC at Coventry Building Society Arena(Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC)

James Garner could be in contention for an Everton return when the club visits Tottenham Hotspur next weekend but Seamus Coleman faces slightly longer out. Both players featured in pre-season but picked up calf issues in the closing stages of the friendly schedule.

Garner missed the final week of warm-up fixtures but stepped up his training programme this week and was on the Finch Farm pitches with the club’s sports science team on Thursday.

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Dyche has accepted he will not return for the opening game of the Premier League season against Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park on Saturday but believes there is a chance he could recover in time to be considered for the trip to Spurs.

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Garner’s recovery is in advance of club captain Coleman’s. The 35-year-old missed the friendly win at Preston North End with a knee issue but returned for the emphatic behind-closed-doors win over Motherwell.

He then started the home match with Roma but pulled up injured midway through the first half. Dyche said his injury is not believed to be serious. The pair are among several injuries that have undermined Everton’s preparations for the new campaign, with Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson and Youssef Chermiti also currently unavailable.