ROSS TO MISS START OF SEASON

ROSS BARKLEY has been ruled out of the start of the Premier League season after he had surgery to repair a hernia problem. The England international (right) did not travel to Tanzania last week with Everton, who revealed he had a groin issue, and it was serious enough to also stop him travelling to Holland for a week-long training camp. After further examinations, it was determined that Barkley needed an operation to repair the damage and he will spend the next four weeks recovering, meaning he will be absent for the opening game of the new campaign against Stoke City at Goodison Park. Barkley has entered the final 12 months of his contract and Chelsea and Manchester United have been monitoring the 23-year-old’s position. Meanwhile, Everton continued their pre-season preparations with a 3-0 victory over FC Twente last night. Kevin Mirallas, Aaron Lennon and Kieran Dowell scored for the visitors.