Lewis Dobbin is making “good progress” in his recovery from an ankle injury but it remains unclear whether he will be able to play a role in the rest of the season.
Everton coaching staff are pleased with Dobbin’s initial work after the youngster suffered ligament damage in a freak training ground incident last month.
There is hope the 21-year-old will recover before the end of the campaign but there is also an understanding that patience may be required as he rebuilds strength.
Dobbin suffered his injury at Finch Farm in March, after the Everton squad returned from a warm weather training camp in Portugal and just before those players not on international duty were given a break. Blues boss Sean Dyche explained: “He hurt his ankle and was very unlucky – he fell over, landed on someone’s foot and it tilted his ankle.” Initial fears he might need an operation proved to be unfounded but Dyche said there was an appreciation the recovery would be a “delicate” process.
Speaking ahead of Everton’s trip to Chelsea, who Dobbin scored his first senior goal against back in December, Dyche said: “He’s making good progress. I wouldn’t want to give a timescale, but we are hopeful over the next couple of weeks at least that he can maybe get around the squad again, but we’ll see.
“It’s delicate. A straightforward injury in one way, but a delicate one to kind get the timing right to make sure it’s strong enough to continue.”
Asked whether he could feature again this season, Dyche responded: “We’ll see.”
Dobbin’s injury added to the Blues’ shortage of attacking options during a busy period in which Arnaut Danjuma was also out with a long-term ankle issue. Danjuma, who suffered his injury at Fulham at the end of January, could return to the first team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana, who were both absent from the squad that beat Burnley last weekend, are set to return to availability while Dyche is hopeful Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Garner will overcome midweek knocks to play a part in west London.
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