Leighton Baines has targeted helping Everton deliver a strong end to the 2017/18 season - and says he hopes to be available “sooner rather than later” after returning to training out in Dubai.
The left-back hasn’t played a first-team game since suffering a calf problem at Southampton on 26 November - four days before Sam Allardyce was appointed Toffees boss.
However, the 33-year-old reported no ill-effects from his first session back with his teammates and now hopes to be a valuable asset for his new manager in the remaining 11 games of the campaign.
After returning from Dubai, Everton head to Watford next Saturday, before a trip to Burnley - the side currently seventh, two points and two places above the Blues in the Premier League.