Blow for Everton as defender suffers serious knee injury

Everton full-back Tyias Browning has been ruled out for the "long term" after undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury.

Browning picked up the injury in Everton U21s' Lancashire Senior Cup win over Blackburn Rovers just before the international break last month.

The 21-year-old subsequently pulled out of the England U21 squad and has missed Everton's last three games, with the decision eventually being made for Browning to go under the knife.

Speaking at his pre-Crystal Palace press conference manager Roberto Martinez did his best to put a positive spin on the situation, revealing the surgery had been a success and that Browning had now begun the long road to recovery.

"The surgery has been positive. It was a serious injury. Tyias had a problem in his knee that was bothering him in the cartilage.

"Then in the Under-21s’ game against Blackburn Rovers, that injury flared up and it needed attention.

"The surgery went well but he is going to be out long-term. But it is a great opportunity to show him our support as a football club and help him through this tough period. Hopefully we can have him back as soon as we can, because he has had a very important season in his development.

"This is a test in his young career but he knows he can count on everyone at the Club to help him through this as well as possible."