Ross Barkley injury: Everton youngster could be out for up to six weeks with knee injury

20-year-old limped out of training on eve of Premier League season

Everton could be without English starlet Ross Barkley after the youngster injured his knee in training on the eve of the Premier League season.

The 20-year-old is facing between six and eight weeks on the sidelines after leaving the club's training ground in a knee brace.

Barkley was a standout performer for the Toffees last year, eventually earning a nod in Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad after a string of impressive performances.

The full extent of the injury is not yet known with the youngster set to have a scan on Saturday morning.

If initial reports are accurate it would leave Everton boss Roberto Martinez unable to play Barkley in seven Everton games, while he would be missing for up to four international matches.

Barkley signed a new four-year, £60,000-a-week contract after his performances last year but could miss the opener against Leicester as well as matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, West Bromwich, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Manchester United.

He would also miss the early stages of the Europa League and the Capital One Cup.