Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Knee woe sidelines Hibbert

08 Jul 2008 - 08:21:14

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Everton defender Tony Hibbert could miss the start of the new season after undergoing surgery on a knee problem.

The 27-year-old full-back was hoping to avoid surgery on ligament damage with a summer of rest.

Hibbert ruptured ligaments against Arsenal on May 4 and missed the closing weeks of the last season.

But despite protecting his knee in a brace over the past two months, the defender is now struggling to be fit for the Toffees' opening league games against Blackburn Rovers after being told he requires surgery.

"We put it in a brace for six weeks because surgery is to be avoided at all costs," physio Mick Rathbone told evertonTV.

"We have got him running flat out in a straight line, but any side-to-side stuff and he just doesn't feel right.

"Hopefully he will be there or thereabouts for the start of the season. It's touch and go."