“Touch and go”: Sean Dyche confirms £22m Everton player could make his first appearance in over a year

Add as preferred source on Google

Andre Gomes is closing in on a return to the Everton squad.

Sean Dyche has confirmed that the midfielder is ‘touch and go’ for the Premier League clash with Bournemouth this weekend.

Gomes hasn’t featured for Everton since May 2022 after picking up a number of minor injuries over the summer.

Gomes joined the Toffees on a £22 million permanent deal in 2019 and was a regular for a vast majority of his time in England, however injuries and bad form have left his appearances limited in recent years.

The 30-year-old was eventually loaned out to Lille last season and enjoyed an extremely successful spell in Ligue 1, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 26 matches.

Gomes looked set to finally leave Everton permanently in the summer as it was reported that the club were looking to find him a move to Turkey following the Premier League’s deadline, however he ended up staying at the club.

While the Portuguese star had fallen out of favour at Everton and only has a year left on his contract, Dyche has made it clear that he wishes to bring Gomes back into his first team plans once he is fit.

On Gomes’ injury, Dyche said: “Andre has been in and out with niggly calf injuries so he is touch-and-go whether he makes the squad.”

Can Gomes reignite his Everton career?

Gomes could potentially make the bench for Everton’s meeting with Bournemouth, though his long-term absence means he is extremely unlikely to start.

The former Barcelona man could be a great addition to Dyche’s side, given that it would be a huge waste to leave him out as the club continue to cough up around £112,000 per-week on his wages.

Gomes could be one of the Toffees’ best midfielders when at his best and would certainly add a level of creativity that they have struggled with this season.