Steven Pienaar out for up to six weeks

Meanwhile, Leighton Baines admits that the start of the new campaign at Everton will be like a 'fresh start' for him after his injury woes last season.

The 23-year-old arrived last August from Wigan Athletic as Everton's most expensive ever defender in a deal which could eventually be worth £6million.

Although Baines settled in quickly with some impressive performances in the first few weeks, his season was marred by injury problems.

An ankle problem picked up against Derby on October 28 was followed up by a hamstring injury on Baines's first start back in the Premier League on December 8 against Fulham but the Kirkby-born player is now hoping to put his injury woes behind him after undergoing surgery over the summer.

He said: "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.

"In the first six weeks or so everything was going well, I was playing my stuff and was really happy but the injury came at a bad time and just sort of halted all that.

"Hopefully I can pick off from where I left off in that point of view and start playing some good stuff."

Baines added: "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.

"I've done pre-season and all my running done and have been in a few of the games now so mentally and physically I'm feeling good."

Baines's impressive early season form a year ago was helped by the player settling into his new surroundings so quickly despite being bought late in the summer.

He said: "I came in a couple of days before the first game of last season. We were at Bellefield at the time and the place was so small you were on top of everyone so it took no time to get to know everyone because you were in each other's pockets."

While Baines was struggling for fitness he saw Phil Jagielka follow fellow Everton defender Joleon Lescott in the full England squad and although he is just focusing on staying fit for now, the former under-21s international hopes to follow in their footsteps sooner rather than later.

He said: "Getting into the full England squad is not a primary target for me after what happened last season. (with the injury) The most important thing is for me to stay fit and play games and if you do that and play well then those other things look after themselves.

"In regards to what Joleon did last season, I think his England place was more than deserved. I think he was one of the top five defenders in the Premier League hands down - no-one could question that. What he did last season and was his just desserts when you see him on the training ground and how he lives on and off the pitch it's what he deserves."

Baines added: "Hopefully I can look at what he's doing and try and take some tips and do something like that myself.

"Joleon and Phil (Jagielka) have come from a similar background to me in the Championship up to the Premier League and have played well. They've proved that it can be done by playing well."