Sean Dyche drops new Armando Broja injury update as Everton return timeline set
Armando Broja will return to full Everton training after the November international break, according to Sean Dyche.
The striker is yet to feature for the Toffees, having joined on loan from Chelsea this summer and while he has been spotted in training, he is not ready to feature against West Ham United on Saturday (6 November).
Although the Albanian international’s absence leaves Dyche short of attacking options, it seems as though Toffees fans won’t have to wait too long to see him in action at Goodison Park.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (7 November) he said: “[He has been involved in training] in parts – he has basically been a floater and that’s it, just to get a feel of the ball, and nothing other than that at this stage.
“It gives him a chance to get to know the players because he came in injured, which everyone knew, and he’s been working really well – putting a lot into his recovery with the sport science team – but just to give him a chance to be around the players on the pitch.
“The timing is great in terms of he’s getting there but, obviously, with the international break, it’s difficult because everyone disperses again. But he is going to need a games programme, definitely.
“We’re getting him to the point of training – he’s not there yet but next week we’re hoping he’ll be looking more likely. When everyone comes back in [from the international break], he will be in full training.”
What has happened to Armando Broja at Goodison Park after Everton transfer?
While Dyche has been able to call upon both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto regularly this season, the Blues boss hasn’t had a consistent goal scorer at his disposal.
Whether or not Broja is capable of being that man remains unclear, but the Albanian international arrived on Merseyside with plenty of promise and expectation. If he can hit the ground running after his injury, he could be a force to be reckoned with.
If nothing else, the forward’s imminent return will ease the pressure on Calvert-Lewin at the top end of the pitch. The England international has been relied upon as the Blues’ primary source of goals this term but has lacked the clinical edge in the final third.
Hopefully, Broja will come through the international break unscathed so that he is ready to throw himself back into first-team training. If all goes to plan, he could well make his first start in a Toffees shirt sooner than initially expected.
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