Armando Broja is hoping to make his first appearance for Everton next month after stepping up his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Broja has not been able to play for Everton since he joined from Chelsea on a season-long loan on August 30 after sustaining the problem while still with the west London club.
But the Albania international has made a significant step towards his full recovery after beginning light training with Everton. The aim is to be available for selection from around mid-November.
Everton do not want to rush the 23-year-old’s return and will continue to be cautious. Their game at West Ham United on November 9 is probably going to be too soon so the home match against Brentford on November 23, which comes after the final international break of the year, is a more likely target.
Broja was part of the Albania squad that played at Euro 2024 in the summer. As part of the agreement with Chelsea, Everton have an option to buy worth £30million ($39.3m) and will not pay his wages until he returns from injury.
Nathan Patterson, meanwhile, continues to make progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, having featured for the Everton Under-21s on Monday but may need further minutes at that level before being declared ready for first-team action. Everton manager Sean Dyche usually requires first-team players to build up match fitness with the club’s Under-21 side before being available for Premier League selection.
(Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
