Everton forward Jack Grealish has returned to train at Finch Farm and could be available to face Brentford after the international break.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the plan is for the England international to travel to the Gtech Community Stadium on November 23 after rejoining full first-team training.
The 31-year-old has been training separately from the rest of the Everton squad while working to regain his fitness following a three-game absence.
He missed Everton’s 3-1 win over newly promoted Coventry City on Friday night. Grealish’s absence started with an illness that kept him out of Everton’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Five days later, Everton confirmed the winger had been left out of the squad for their 3-1 EFL Cup fourth-round victory over Newcastle United because of a breach of club discipline.
Everton manager David Moyes previously described the decision as a club matter and made it clear that he supported the club’s position.
It was later revealed that the Manchester City loanee was dropped for the Newcastle cup fixture after missing a training session without permission.
His subsequent lack of fitness also kept him out of the 1-0 win over Newcastle when the two sides met again in the Premier League.
That situation has kept him out of action for three consecutive games, including Friday’s home meeting with Coventry.
Moyes has refused to reveal exactly when Grealish will return but suggested the player is getting closer to working with the first team again.
Grealish rejoined Everton from Man City for a second season-long loan spell over the summer.
His contract with the 10-time Premier League champions expires at the end of the season, so Everton can retain his services without paying a dime in transfer fees next summer.
Grealish has scored twice and assisted six goals in 28 games across all competitions for Everton. He has played eight times this season but is yet to open his goalscoring account.
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