Cleverley to miss start of season after Achilles surgery

Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley will miss the “early weeks” of the new Premier League season after undergoing an Achilles operation.

The 28-year-old is beginning a rehabilitation programme at the Hornets’ training ground and is targeting an autumn return to action, having gone under the knife to fix the long-standing issue.

“This is something I’ve put up with during my career, so it’s good to get it sorted,” Cleverley told the club’s website.

“I had been used to playing with pain in my ankle. Now that’s going to be a thing of the past, I’ll be fit and raring to win my place back once I’ve finished my rehab.”

The former Manchester United trainee joined Watford last summer, after an initial loan spell, having failed to establish himself at Everton. He has won 13 senior England caps, the most recent in November 2013.