Everton boss David Moyes says there is a way back for Jack Grealish at the club - but does not know when he will return to the team.
The former England midfielder missed both of the Toffees' wins over Newcastle in the past week after a disciplinary issue.
The 31-year-old Manchester City loanee was left out of Thursday's 3-1 victory in the Carabao Cup - a decision made by the club - after what was thought to be an unauthorised absence from training.
And again on Monday for their Premier League meeting - which Everton won 1-0 at St James' Park with Thierno Barry scoring the only goal - Grealish was absent.
The Toffees said it was because of a lack of fitness - but Moyes was very coy at full-time.
"He's unavailable at the moment and we will make a decision with the club when we think that availability comes back," he told BBC Sport.
When asked whether it was indeed related to fitness, he added: "All I'm giving out is that he is unavailable at the moment."
And when pressed over whether the disciplinary issue is over with, Moyes said: "No, I can't comment on that."
Everton's next match is at home to Coventry on Friday (20:00 GMT) with Moyes unsure whether Grealish will be available then.
But when asked if there was a way back for him at the club, Moyes said: "Of course there is."
Grealish is trying to rebuild his career at Everton, having fallen out of favour at City despite costing the club £100m in 2021.
Grealish, who played a key role helping City win the 2022-23 Treble, will be out of contract at the end of the season.
He scored twice in 22 games for Everton last season during a loan spell which was cut short by injury.
The midfielder returned to the club for a second loan spell this season but had only made six appearances before falling out of favour.
Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium
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