Everton's plans for Andre Gomes as midfielder nears return

Andre Gomes is on the cusp of a return to Everton’s matchday squad after a season blighted by frustration with injury.

The midfielder has not been involved in the first team since he was named on the bench in the home defeat to Fulham on the opening day of the Premier League campaign in August.

Since then he has been beset by a series of minor issues that have forced him to watch from the stands as his teammates have overcome a tough start to put together a staggering run of form across recent months.

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The 30-year-old is now set to be considered for the squad when Everton face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon, with Sean Dyche eager to begin his reintegration into the matchday setup as soon as appropriate.

Gomes could return to the squad over the busy festive period after building up his fitness over recent weeks. The former Barcelona player has played in the last three matches for Everton Under-21s and, crucially for Dyche, completed 90 minutes when the academy side drew with Feyenoord on Tuesday night. That was his first 90 minutes of the season and is viewed as a significant step by Dyche, who said Gomes had, around those appearances, enjoyed a sustained run of training at Finch Farm.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Spurs, Dyche said: “Andre is close. He completed 90 minutes the other night, which I said was a must for me after having such a long period of ups and downs. So he is closer to the group and may even get into the group to travel this weekend, not necessarily playing but amongst it and getting that feel again.”

Dyche has repeatedly brought