Plan For Gomes To Return To Action Next Month

Carlo Ancelotti says Andre Gomes has made a “fantastic recovery” and could be fit to make his Everton comeback as soon as the Blues’ Premier League match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on 23 February.

The Portuguese midfielder suffered a fractured ankle in Everton’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on 3 November.

After undergoing surgery and having a spell of rest and rehabilitation, Gomes returned to first-team training at USM Finch Farm earlier this week.

Ancelotti also revealed Jean-Philippe Gbamin has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from surgery on his quadriceps and will require a further procedure, but is hopeful the Ivory Coast international will be fit before the end of the season.

“Andre Gomes did a fantastic recovery and he is almost fit,” Ancelotti said.

“Of course, we have to take care of him.

“After the game against Crystal Palace, we have a break, so in that period we have the possibility to prepare him well for the game against Arsenal. This is the plan.

“I was not here when he got injured but he had a really bad injury. I think that the work that all the staff did on him was fantastic.


“I was surprised [by how quickly he has recovered]. He started training with the team without any problem. This is really good news.”

On fellow midfielder Gbamin’s fitness, Ancelotti said: “He has had a problem, unfortunately.

“He has had a chat with the doctor and in the next few days he may need another surgery to try to recover him before the end of the season. We hope he will be fit before then.”

Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Watford (3pm), Ancelotti confirmed the rest of his squad is "fit and in good physical condition”.

Richarlison, Alex Iwobi and Gylfi Sigurdsson have all recovered from injuries and are available for selection for the game at Vicarage Road.