Sean Dyche has admitted that Dele Alli may not play for Everton this season after the midfielder suffered another injury setback.
The former Tottenham star has not featured in the first team in 11 months, during his loan spell at Besiktas, amid a series of injury problems.
Last month, Dyche revealed Alli would be sidelined once again after requiring groin surgery and now the Toffees boss has confirmed any return is still a long way off.
Regarding Alli’s return date, Dyche said: ‘We’ll see. There is a long way to go. We have deliberately withheld him, we have agreed with him to give him time and space. “I hope he comes back, but we don’t know.”
‘We have given him the privacy he needs at this time. It’s in good shape. I spoke to him recently and we had a long conversation with him.
Sean Dyche has admitted that Dele Alli (pictured) may not play for Everton this season
The Toffees boss said the midfielder is “in good shape” despite the latest setback.
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“Making sense of another injury is tough, but he’ll get through it.”
Dyche had initially suggested that Alli had “no timetable” for a possible return and that the “early signs” were good.
In January, Dyche said: “Unfortunately, it required surgery.” There was a debate about whether to do it or not, which took time. Now he will be recovering from that and there is no timetable.
‘The first signs are good. “We’re just waiting to see how it plays out.”
Alli underwent groin surgery last summer and also bravely spoke about his battles with off-court addiction due to childhood trauma, which also delayed his return.
The former England international is yet to feature for Everton this season, having been sidelined for the entire season so far.
The midfielder also revealed, in a New Year’s post on Instagram, that he had suffered a new injury setback.
Alli wrote on social media: “As the year comes to a close, I just wanted to thank you for the incredible support I have received over the last 12 months.
‘This year has been a little different for me, I have learned and experienced a lot, I have had ups and downs, but throughout it all you have always shown me a lot of love.
In January, Alli revealed he had suffered another injury setback as his return to action neared.
‘Unfortunately the year is not ending as I would have hoped, I was close to returning to full training but frustratingly I had another setback with my injury.
‘I will be away again for a short time, but my outlook and mentality are nothing but positive.
“I’m going to attack my physiotherapy and give everything to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“I hope you had the year you wanted and I wish you all the best for 2024.”