Stay in control of the latest Blues news with our Everton newsletter Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Sam Allardyce has given an update on Ross Barkley's injury return - saying that the midfielder is "on the mend" but needs to be eased back in to action.

The 23-year-old hasn't featured all season for Everton after suffering a hamstring tear, although he is back in the gym and on the road to recovery.

Barkley has been strongly linked with a move away from the Blues over the last few months too, with his contract at Goodison Park due to run out at the end of the season.

Whilst Allardyce knows that Barkley will have to be eased back into the action with Everton, the boss also hinted that desperation could force his hand earlier with the Blues coming up to a busy festive schedule.

"He's [Barkley] on the mend but for a hamstring it's been a difficult one because of the size of the tear," Allardyce told talkSPORT .

"We've got a total of nine injuries at the moment and Ross Barkley has been a long term one. Bolasie, Seamus Coleman - you want all these players back.

"Then you'd have a healthy squad with the Christmas period coming up.

(Image: Colin Lane)

"You have to ease them back into the team as well.

"If you were in pre-season you'd have two or three weeks of conditioning training - 45, 60, 70 and 90 minutes in pre-season games.

"With Ross being out for so long you've got to try and take that approach if you possibly can but it depends how desperate you are."