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Marco Silva has set Everton's medical team the target of getting Bernard fit for after the international break.

The Brazilian suffered grade two ligament damage in his right knee during the first-half of the game with Brighton last month.

Bernard has missed games with Watford and Spurs and will be sidelined for the trip to Southampton this weekend.

Silva, however, is hoping the 27-year-old winger will be available again for the game with Norwich City on November 23.

But the Everton boss admits he is putting the club's medical staff under "some pressure" to meet that aim.

"I would like to see him again after the international break," Silva told the ECHO.

"I know I am putting some pressure on our medical staff and on my staff to get him in a good condition.

"You know, we always have a date in our mind and it is always a bit big but I am trying to put the normal pressure on them to see if Bernard will be with us after the international break but let's see."

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Should Bernard be fit for the Norwich fixture then he would have recovered in four weeks and Silva says scans have given him encouragement it could happen.

Asked how concerned he was at seeing Bernard go down with the injury, Silva explained: "It happened twice with Bernard, in the games with Arsenal and Manchester United at home last season.

"He also had a similar situation, here at the training ground, two or three weeks ago and it was nothing serious.

"It was the same situation at Brighton but when I get the feedback that we have to change him, of course, it looks a little bit different because you are always concerned.

"After the exam we realised it is serious but not so serious. But we have to take the right time."