Dele Alli has ‘long way to go’ after injury with Dyche admitting he ‘doesn’t know’ if he’ll play for Everton this season

SEAN DYCHE admits injured Dele Alli might not play this season  – as Everton are “deliberately holding him back” to help his recovery.

The Toffees‘ boss says the ex-England midfielder has “a long way to go” following groin surgery and another injury setback.

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Dele Alli will be given all the time he needs, says Sean Dyche[/caption]

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Dyche stressed that Everton will give Alli ‘time and space’ to recover[/caption]

Alli, 27, was praised for his bravery last July with an interview revealing childhood abuse.

The ex-Tottenham star told Gary Neville on The Overlap podcast he had just spent six weeks in rehab treating an addiction to sleeping pills caused by trauma as a kid.

Alli said the psychological help left him “mentally in the best place I’ve ever been” and with his “passion back for football”.

But he’s since been beset by physical issues – meaning he last played first-team football 11 months ago.

Injuries plagued Alli’s loan season with Besiktas in 2022-23.

Now Dyche is keen to give him all the “time and space” he needs to return in perfect condition.

The ex-Burnley chief said: “He’s in good shape. I spoke to him recently and we had a good long conversation with him. 

“Making sense of another injury is difficult but he’ll come through that.

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“There’s a long way to go. We’ve deliberately kept him back, we agreed with him to give him time and space. 

“Hopefully he’ll be back, we just don’t know.”

Alli welcomed in the New Year last month with a social media message thanking everyone for their “incredible support”.

It follows his interview with Manchester United legend Neville where he explained he was molested aged six by a friend of his biological mum.

Alli added that he began smoking at seven and selling drugs aged eight.

He was also sent to Africa for six months to “learn discipline” from his biological father.