Dele Alli is back in training at Everton, with the former England international ready to push for a first Toffees appearance in more than a year.

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Ex-England international has endured tough timeUnderwent surgery on groin injuryCould figure again in 2023-24 campaignWHAT HAPPENED?

The 27-year-old midfielder moved to Goodison Park in the winter transfer window of 2022, with Tottenham agreeing to let him go in a complicated agreement that is yet to see any money change hands. Dele has taken in 13 appearances for the Merseyside outfit so far.

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The last of those came in August 2022, shortly before a loan move to Turkish side Besiktas was completed. Things did not play out as planned for Dele there, with his most recent appearance of any kind coming on February 26, 2023.

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Having been stuck in the shadows since then, with issues to address on and off the field, Dele has become something of a forgotten man. Everton boss Sean Dyche did, however, reveal recently that the former Spurs star was closing in on a return to action, saying: “He is going well. 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.” That barrier has been broken down, with Dele rejoining full training.

WHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

Dele appears to have fully recovered from the long-standing groin injury that forced him to undergo surgery, with there a chance that he could be drafted back in from the cold prior to his current contract expiring in the summer of 2024.