Everton have been hit with a double injury blow with Dele Alli undergoing surgery and in-form midfielder Andre Gomes ruled out of Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Luton.
Sean Dyche confirmed the latest setback in 27-year-old Dele’s career when he said the midfield player had needed a further operation on his groin.
He hasn’t played since his last appearance on loan for Besiktas in February.
‘Dele has required surgery. There is no time scale on his return. It is groin surgery.’
Everton hope the decision to operate will have long-term benefits for Dele whose career has lost its way since reaching a World Cup semi-final with England in 2018 and the Champions League final for Tottenham two years later.
Dele Alli requires groin surgery, Sean Dyche has revealed – the latest fitness setback for the 27-year-old
Toffees boss Dyche confirmed that there is not yet a ‘time scale’ on his return to the first-team
The Toffees will also be without Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes who has injured his calf
He made only one start for Everton after signing at the start of 2022, had groin surgery last summer and revealed a spell in rehab to recover from addictions caused by childhood trauma.
Dyche will also be without Gomes whose latest calf injury is being assessed.
The Portuguese midfielder only recently returned from long-term absence and scored Everton’s winner against Crystal Palace in the third round with a free-kick.
He won’t be in action this weekend however. Dyche said: ‘We’ve lost Andre. We are waiting on news how long he will be out but unlikely for this weekend.
‘It is a different kind of injury but (also) in his calf.’
Club captain Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure are also set to miss out at Goodison.
Both sides are relegation rivals this season – Everton largely because of a 10-point deduction handed down for PSR breaches – but Dyche says: ‘Cup bring a different feeling. We want the players to be clear-minded.
‘Luton have used the underdog spirit that I’ve used myself at Burnley when we got into the Premier League. They are up for everything but we have created a mentality, we take no-one lightly.’