Everton boss Sam Allardyce is hopeful that James McCarthy will be able to join the squad for pre-season training ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
McCarthy suffered a double leg break during Everton’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion on January 20.
It was a bitter blow for a player that had only just returned to action following a spell on the sidelines with a troublesome hamstring issue.
Various reports claimed that McCarthy would struggle to be fit for the start of the new season, but Allardyce is confident that the 27-year-old will be able to return to the field in July as the Toffees build towards the 2017-18 campaign.
Allardyce told Everton’s official website:
“It is down to the specialist and them saying if and when James can start moving forward.
“The specialist will guide us on how far we can go and with a bit of luck we can look forward to James starting the next pre-season with us.”
McCarthy, who is believed to collect £60,000 a week in wages at Goodison Park, has only made 19 appearances for Everton since the end of the 2015-16 season.
The Republic of Ireland international joined the Merseyside club from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2013.
