Everton defender Ben Godfrey is expected to be sidelined for about three months after having surgery on the right leg he fractured during the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, the Premier League side said on Monday.
Godfrey suffered the injury on Saturday as he made a last-ditch recovery tackle following a poor pass and the 24-year-old was taken off the pitch and straight to a hospital.
"Ben Godfrey underwent successful surgery this morning on the fractured fibula he sustained," Everton said.
"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."
Everton are facing defensive problems after injury-prone Yerry Mina also limped off late in the second half against Chelsea.
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Chelsea's Raheem Sterling battles for the ball with Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko in the Blues' 1-0 win in their opening fixture. AP -
Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly in action. AP -
Everton midfielder Anthony Gordon is tackled by Chelsea's Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly. AFP -
Everton's Anthony Gordon in action against Chelsea's Kalidou Koulibaly. EPA -
Chelsea's Jorginho celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot in the 1-0 Premier League win at Everton on August 6, 2022. AP -
Jorginho celebrates with teammates after scoring. AP -
Chelsea's Ben Chilwell is brought down in the box after being challenged by Abdoulaye Doucoure. Getty -
Chelsea's Raheem Sterling in action with Everton's Yerry Mina and Alex Iwobi. Reuters -
Raheem Sterling of Chelsea celebrates, but his goal is later ruled offside. Getty -
Everton's Ben Godfrey is stretchered off the pitch. Getty -
Everton manager Frank Lampard watches the action. AFP -
Thomas Tuchel, manager of Chelsea, gives directions. Getty -
Chelsea's manager Thomas Tuchel gives instructions to Marc Cucurella. EPA -
Chelsea's Thiago Silva takes a drink. AP
New signing James Tarkowski is happy to shoulder even more responsibility following the latest injury setback.
"I'm more disappointed for the lads to get injured to be honest. It didn't look nice for Ben, hopefully it's not too bad – and hopefully the same for Yerry," said the defender.
"There is no more pressure for me – I have got to go out there and perform. For whoever comes in and plays there, it is the same for them.
"I am one of the older heads around here. It is quite a young side and I am fairly experienced, I have played quite a few games at this level now, so I feel it's part of my job to go in there and to try to lead and guide and help people.
"Especially someone in my position because I can see all the pitch, so it is my job and it is something I really enjoy."
