Dele Alli is dealt fresh injury blow as his return to playing is put on hold – with the midfielder still using Everton’s facilities despite being a free agent and not playing for 19 months

Dele Alli has suffered an injury setback in his bid to return to full fitness and resume his career.

The former England international has not played competitive football for the last 19 months after an injury cut short his spell with Turkish side Besiktas in April 2023 – he last featured two months prior.

He has been using Everton’s training facilities and medical expertise despite being a free agent after his contact with the Toffees expired in the summer and he didn’t sign a new one.

There were hopes he would be ready to return playing soon, but Everton boss Sean Dyche has given an update on his condition, and it’s not a good one.

Dyche revealed that Alli picked up a muscle injury that has impacted his ability to train, with planned practice games now believed to have been put on hold amid the latest issue.

‘He’s just making sure he’s right,’ Dyche said. ‘He’s had a bit of a slip back with his fitness so he is just in that total recovery period. It’s a slight muscle strain, nothing too heavy, but because it’s been so long it is about getting him back into that fully fit zone.

‘It’s not easy but unfortunately it is part of being a professional footballer. He has had a tough run of it, there is no doubt about that, and on the back of him feeling better about himself.

‘To have this period out has been very challenging for him but whenever I see him he seems to be in good spirits. He’s well aware of the situation.’

The midfielder revealed earlier this year that he had been targeting a spot at the 2026 World Cup with England as he looks at an eventual return to international football.

Alli previously starred as an England regular and played at Euro 2016 and the World Cup in Russia two years later, but hasn’t featured since making his 37th international appearance five years ago.

‘You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder at 11 o’clock every day that says, “World Cup 2026”,’ he said on Sky Sports in April. ‘That’s my aim for now. I think that people will be like, “he hasn’t played in a year” but I don’t care, I know my level.

‘The only target I have is the World Cup right now. Obviously I’m injured and contracted to Everton and so my mind is just about taking it day by day and making sure my injury is healed and that I’m in the best possible condition after the summer.

‘It’s annoying because I’ll be just fully training as the season ends so it means that I won’t have to rush it.’

Everton were, meanwhile, open to offering Alli a new contract in August. Dyche said things were ‘ticking along nicely’, but talks never progressed.

Alli has made a total of 13 appearances for Everton, failing to score a goal.