Sam Allardyce believes James McCarthy should be fit to take part in pre-season as the Everton midfielder steps up his recovery from a double leg break.
McCarthy suffered the terrible injury while making a challenge on striker Salomon Rondon in a Premier League game against West Brom in January.
The Ireland international subsequently underwent surgery and Allardyce says McCarthy's rehabilitation is ready to begin at Everton's training ground.
"It is down to the specialist and them saying if and when James can start moving forward," Allardyce told the Everton website.
"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.
"He has had some time back at home. He will probably re-join us in the next few days on a regular basis to start getting some mobility into his ankle, particularly because it has been in a set position for such a long time."
‘He instantly popped into our ratings as one of the best U21 midfielders in Europe. The impressive thing is Slot has made him into more of a no.6' Inside Ryan Gravenberch's transformation at Liverpool
‘I don’t think Liverpool would look at Ollie Watkins, a striker isn’t a pressing issue for them – it’s Arsenal who need one’ Former Reds star explains why his old club don’t need an out-and-out forward this summer
