Everton Football Club

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

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42440

Toffees suffer Pienaar blow

12 Aug 2008 - 12:57:41

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Everton's South African midfielder Steven Pienaar faces around six weeks out of action after suffering a broken toe in the friendly against PSV Eindhoven.

The 26-year-old will miss the start of the new Premier League season as a result of the injury, leaving Toffees boss David Moyes short of midfield options.

Head physio Mick Rathbone told the club's official website: "We can confirm that Steven Pienaar has broken the big toe in his right foot."

Meanwhile, left-back Leighton Baines is happy to be back to full fitness and in with a chance of challenging for a regular starting spot, having suffered from ankle and hamstring problems last term.

He told the Daily Post: "In some ways this feels like a fresh start for me. It's nice just to be back playing games, it was frustrating at times.

"I'm looking at it that way. It's a fresh chance for me to come out and get a good season under my belt.

"I think I'm definitely over the injury psychologically, it was a while ago now. It lingered on and niggled for a while, but I've had it looked at and sorted out in the summer."