Everton team news: Theo Walcott to miss month of Premier League action after abdominal operation

Forward’s team-mates Yerry Mina and Jean-Philippe Gbamin also sustained injuries

Everton will be without Theo Walcott when the Premier League resumes later this month after the forward had an abdominal operation earlier this week.

Walcott experienced discomfort on his return to training following the coronavirus shutdown and will require at least a month of rehabilitation.

A statement from the Toffees read: “Theo Walcott is set to miss the restart of the Premier League season after undergoing surgery.

“The 31-year-old Everton forward had abdominal surgery on Monday evening, having developed symptoms following the first team’s return to training.

“He has now started his rehabilitation under the care of the club’s medical team and is expected to make a return to training in four weeks.”

Walcott has made 25 appearances this season, scoring just once – against Watford in February.

His absence is a further blow to Everton ahead of the restart after midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin and defender Yerry Mina also picked up injuries.

Everton’s first game back is the Merseyside derby on 21 June, a game that could see their rivals Liverpool clinch their first ever Premier League title.

That match will be played at Goodison Park after the city’s Safety Advisory Group gave permission for the fixture to take place as scheduled. Two fixtures involving Liverpool were flagged as candidates to take place at neutral grounds due to fears that supporters will congregate outside the closed stadiums and breach social distancing guidelines, with the away trip to Manchester City on 2 July yet to be confirmed.

But at a meeting of the council’s Safety Advisory Group on Wednesday, both Liverpool and Everton were granted permission to play their remaining home games at Anfield and Goodison Park respectively after reassurance was given that the conditions outside the grounds can be managed.

The derby received support from both Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson and the Merseyside Police, with authorities happy for the game to take place at Goodison Park.

PA