Dele Alli nears Everton return after long-term injury as Sean Dyche confirms the midfielder is ‘back on the grass’ and targeting first Toffees appearance in over a year

Dele Alli is on course to be back playing in the next month, with the Everton midfielder now training on grass as he steps up his recovery from a long-standing groin injury that has seen him not play football since February.

Dele admirably opened up this summer about an addiction to sleeping tablets inflicted by childhood traumas that included being molested at the age of six and dealing drugs as an eight-year-old.

Everton boss Sean Dyche welcomed him into the fold at Everton this summer after his return from a loan spell at Besiktas, and there was a banner in support of the player in the Gwladys Street End earlier this season, but he has not yet featured for the former Burnley boss.

‘He is going well,’ said Dyche, ahead of the Toffees’ meeting with Newcastle. 

‘He is back on the grass with the sports science and fitness side, going through football-related drills, but the actual freedom to come and join in with us is not there yet.

Alli hasn’t featured for Everton in over a year having previously been on loan at Besiktas

‘Hopefully over the next week he will start slowly blending in. He still has a bit to go because he has been out for a long time, he needs a game programme, but to get him back on with us would be really pleasing for him because he has been so unlucky.’

Everton, who have won their last three away games but have just four points at Goodison Park this season, will be boosted by the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin after a minor injury but the visit of Newcastle is ‘touch and go’ for midfielder Amadou Onana.

Sean Dyche confirmed Alli is nearing a return to fitness but hasn’t yet joined in team training