Football
Mike Whalley 9y

Everton's Steven Pienaar to miss start of season with hamstring injury

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar will miss the start of the Premier League season because of a hamstring injury.

The 33-year-old suffered the setback during a training session, manager Roberto Martinez said.

Pienaar was troubled by injuries throughout last season, making only 11 appearances because of groin and knee problems.

Martinez said he had to send the former South Africa captain home early from their preseason trip to Scotland in order to get treatment.

Pienaar's injury kept him out of Sunday's 3-1 friendly win at Scottish Championship side Hearts, and he will not be ready for Everton's opening Premier League match, at home to promoted Watford on Aug. 8.

Martinez told Everton's website: "Obviously it was a really sad moment for all of us when Stevie picked up that injury in training.

"He's gone back now to be fully assessed by our medical team at Finch Farm and we'll get the results very soon.

"But it does seem it's a problem with his hamstring and clearly he's going to miss the start of the season.

"That is a real shame because Stevie worked with fantastic results and fantastic signs over the first three weeks of preseason.

"We were very down about that situation and we hope to get Stevie back as soon as we can."

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