Everton's Leighton Baines undergoes ankle operation, set to miss 12-14 weeks

Everton announced Thursday that Leighton Baines will be out of commission until November after undergoing successful ankle surgery to correct a problem sustained on the eve of the Premier League season.

The 30-year-old left-back underwent an operation on the same ankle in May and returned to the pitch in early August.

"Everything had been perfect in Leighton's programme and he worked extremely hard in preseason," manager Roberto Martinez said after Everton's 2-2 draw versus Watford on Saturday. "He looked refreshed, he looked strong and he looked at a really, really good level.

"Then, in training, he blocks a ball and it hits him exactly in the same area where he had surgery (in May), with the unfortunate result that he's going to be out for a while.

"It's one of those tough moments that you have to take as a player but he knows we're going to help him immensely, everyone will support him and we have to make the most of his other role, which is to be part of the group and be a leader while he's getting back to full fitness."

Last season saw Baines tally two goals and nine assists through 31 appearances while ranking ninth in key passes per game (2.3) as a result of his excellent service from the left flank.