Chermiti to miss the start of the season

Everton striker Youssef Chermiti has been ruled out of the start of the Premier League season after undergoing minor surgery on a foot injury, the club announced on Monday.

The 20-year-old suffered the injury in training, with a Toffees statement saying Chermiti "will now begin rehabilitation under the care of Everton’s medical team".

The Portuguese came off the bench to provide an assist and score two goals in a 3-3 pre-season draw at Sligo Rovers and then starred a substitute in a defeat at Salford.

Everton manager Sean Dyche said after Saturday's win at Preston that Chermiti's injury was "a bit of a blow because he's done great in pre-season and looked sharp".

He added: "We'll have to wait and see, but it's certainly not going to be a couple of weeks –- it will be longer than that."

Everton, who finished 15th in last season's Premier League, begin the new campaign at home to Brighton on 17 August.