Dele Alli suffers new setback as midfielder faces longer wait to return to football

Former Tottenham star Dele Alli is facing more time on the sidelines as Everton manager Sean Dyche reveals he has new injury to deal with during his recovery

Dele Alli has suffered yet another setback in his battle to return to playing football.

The England international has been training with Everton despite his contract running out in the summer at the club. The Toffees have not ruled out offering the midfielder a new deal if he can get back to full fitness following his mental health and injury battles.

Alli, 28, suffered a hip injury while on loan at Besiktas and has not played since February 2023. He then picked up a groin injury last season which needed surgery and during his recovery he has now suffered another issue.

“He’s just making sure he’s right,” said Everton boss Sean Dyche. “He’s had a little bit of a slip back with his fitness so he is just in that total recovery period.

“It’s a slight muscle strain, nothing too heavy, but because it’s been so long it is about getting him back into that fully fit zone.”

Dyche had spoken in the summer about giving Alli special games to prove his fitness before the club would offer him a new deal. But now his absence grows longer which could prove difficult for a player who has openly spoken about his struggles with mental health.

“It’s not easy but unfortunately it is part of being a professional footballer,” added Dyche. “He has had a tough run of it, there is no doubt about that, and on the back of him feeling better about himself.

“To have this period out has been very challenging for him but whenever I see him he seems to be in good spirits. He’s well aware of the situation.”

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

Former defender Dyche has his own experience of long-term injury and reckons it is easier for the modern-day player to deal with it due to the wages they now earn.

“I had a year out with my back, played one game and then did my back again the next week,” he said. “You work for six or seven months and then you’re out for another seven months, it’s hard. Your body is the tool you need and if it breaks down it is really difficult but you find your way through it.

“Players are fortunate now. With me my career was on the line. Now most of these guys, not all, make enough money to look after themselves for the future. Not that it’s about that, it doesn’t make it feel any better when you’re injured, but it’s worse when you’re injured for that long and you don’t know what is coming next and you are on the breadline. That’s a whole different ball game.”

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