Abdoulaye Doucoure could be back to face West Ham United next weekend, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.
The Everton midfielder has returned to individual training sessions at Finch Farm this week after fracturing his foot against West Bromwich Albion at the beginning of March.
Initial fears had Doucoure missing the rest of the season but Ancelotti has refused to give up hope and says the 28-year-old could be fit to play again next week.
Everton face Aston Villa this evening and then go to West Ham in a crunch Euro qualification fixture before making the trip to Villa Park four days later.
Home games with Sheffield United and Wolves then follow before the final game of the season against Manchester City on May 23.
“Honestly we are really motivated, I think that before the game against Arsenal we had much more difficulties, now the momentum is really good, the atmosphere is really good, the environment is motivated around us, and we have strong belief for this final part of the season," Ancelotti said.
"All the players are available and in condition we are going to have back, maybe, Doucoure for next week, and the atmosphere is really good around this.
"After that, there is a result that decides the atmosphere."
