Leighton Baines has become the latest Everton player to undergo surgery in a bid to finally rectify a long-standing ankle problem.

The left-back has endured a difficult first season at Goodison Park, with niggling injuries restricting him to just 18 starts following his £6m move from Wigan. He also made another 11 appearances as a substitute.

He underwent the operation on Monday but will be fit for pre-season training, when the Blues report back to Finch Farm in the first week of July as the recovery time is between six and eight weeks.

Given that he had previously enjoyed exemplary fitness during his time with Wigan, the last six months have been hugely frustrating for Baines but he has done his best to take as many positives from the situation as possible.

"I have never really had an injury like that," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I've only ever really missed the odd game over the last two years, so it was frustrating to pick it up when I did."