'He's peed off' - Sean Dyche breaks silence on Dele Alli's latest injury setback as Everton grant ex-Tottenham star 'a break from coming in'

Dele has been hit with a fresh injury setback as he bids to make a comeback during the 2024-25 season. The ex-Tottenham midfielder has not played competitively since turning out for Besiktas in February 2023 during a loan spell away from Everton. Dele is currently a free agent, but is training with Everton in the hope of earning a new contract, and Dyche has offered an update on the situation.

He told reporters: "Dele has had a minor thing but he’s just taking a time out because obviously he’s had a few now and he’s just peed off with it. So, we’re just monitoring that at the minute. He’s abroad at the minute but working. It’s just a break from coming in, you know what it’s like, it grips you then, so we said: ‘Yeah, yeah, of course’."

Dele's frustrations are no surprise given he has been out of action for so long and had been closing in on a comeback after returning to training on the grass with the Toffees in October. His latest setback means there is still no end in sight to his injury nightmare and no clear timeframe for when he may be available for selection once more.

Dele has been warned it could be six months until he's in a position to resume his professional career and try to earn a new contract with Everton. In the meantime, Dyche's side will continue without the former England star and face a brutal fixture list ahead of the festive period with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to follow Wednesday's meeting with Wolves.