Tim Iroegbunam has been absent since October. He joins James Garner and Stanley Mills as players approaching a comeback from long injury lay-offs
Tim Iroegbunam has returned to first team training. The midfielder, who joined Everton in the summer, has been absent since suffering a foot injury in October.
But he is nearing a return to action and joined the senior squad for drills at the club’s Finch Farm training ground this week.
Iroegbunam made a positive impression in his initial months after moving to Merseyside from Aston Villa. The 21-year-old did well through pre-season and then started the opening four Premier League games of the season, albeit Everton lost all four amid a tough beginning that was undermined by injuries.
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His last appearance came as a second half substitute in the home draw with Newcastle United in October. Iroegbunam suffered his injury in the international break that month.
Teammate James Garner was hit with a back injury in the same break and both are now approaching a return. Garner returned to training last week and Everton manager David Moyes said the midfielder could be given minutes with the Under-21s before joining up with the first team squad on a matchday and the same may apply to Iroegbunam.
Another player returning from long-term injury is Stan Mills, who is pictured in the same club photos from training that show Iroegbunam’s return. The 21-year-old scored on his return to action for Everton U21s on Friday, his first game after just over a year out.
Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman were not pictured in the training gallery, nor were longer term absentees Youssef Chermiti and Armando Broja.
