Dele Alli sends out inspirational message as Everton midfielder offers fitness update amid injury nightmare

Dele has yet to play for Everton this season, with his last appearance in professional football coming for Besiktas during a loan spell, in October of 2022. That came against Umraniyespor, while his last appearance for the Toffees came in August of the same year, against Aston Villa in a nine-minute cameo.

Now, though, he has posted an inspirational message on Instagram in which he has implored his followers not to give up.

Dele suffered a muscle tear while playing for Besiktas and then underwent groin surgery is January. He has also opened up about his own mental health struggles last year, as he revealed he was molested as a child and also struggled with an addiction to sleeping pills.

Dele wrote on Instagram: "Rest, restart and refocus as many times as you need. You are your own greatest project. Never give up." He accompanied the post with a montage of training images, as well as a video.

It remains to be seen if Dele will be able to play for Everton before the end of the season, or if he will leave on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer. The Toffees are locked in a relegation battle and face Newcastle on Tuesday.