Ross Barkley faces six-week layoff with leg injury

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is expected to miss the first six weeks of the season with a leg injury.

The England international left Toffees training with his leg in a brace, 24 hours before the Merseysiders begin their Premier League season with a trip to Leicester City.

He will undergo a scan tomorrow to discover the extent of the problem, but an initial diagnosis suggests that Roberto Martinez may have to make do without the 20-year-old for at least a month.

The news will come as a huge blow to Everton, with Barkley having emerged as one of the country's top young talents following a season in which he scored seven goals in 38 games and made his international debut.

Barkley signed a new five-year contract at Goodison Park last month to ward off interest from Chelsea.