Everton's medical staff are hopeful stricken midfielder Andre Gomes will play again before the end of this season.
Gomes suffered a fracture dislocation to his right ankle during Sunday's Premier League draw with Tottenham following a challenge from Son Heung-min and was carried off on a stretcher.
The Portugal international underwent successful surgery on Tuesday and, despite the severity of the injury, club officials are optimistic he will return in 2019-20.
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Speaking ahead of the weekend game with Southampton, manager Marco Silva told a news conference: "It's not easy to give a sure date about when he will return but the feedback from the medical staff is that it is possible we will see him playing again this season.