Everton defender Ben Godfrey is set to spend three months out of action.
Godfrey suffered a fractured tibula during the first half of Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea in a challenge on Kai Havertz after he had played a stray back-pass.
Frank Lampard initially forecast that the center-back would miss between two and three months prior to any full medical assessment of the player’s injury.
But the defender underwent surgery on the injury on Monday and is expected to be ruled out until early November, shortly before the World Cup break.
Fellow centre-back Yerry Mina is also facing a potential lay-off period as the Blues confirmed he is set to see a specialist for an ankle ligament injury.
Mina sustained the problem when turning in possession near to the touchline area at Goodison Park as Lampard’s side slipped to their opening day loss.
“Ben Godfrey underwent successful surgery this morning on the fractured fibula he sustained during Saturday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Goodison Park,” confirmed a club statement.
“The defender will now begin rehabilitation at Finch Farm under the care of the Club’s medical team and is expected to be out for around three months.
“Meanwhile, Yerry Mina sustained an ankle ligament injury in the second half of Saturday’s match and will see a specialist this week to discover the full extent of the problem before undergoing treatment at Finch Farm.”