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Everton's Yannick Bolasie could make his return from injury next Monday
The winger ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in December 2016
He also damaged his medial ligament and meniscus against Manchester United
Bolasie had a 30-minute run out for Everton's Under 23s earlier this week

Published: 07:23 EDT, 15 December 2017 | Updated: 11:10 EDT, 15 December 2017

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Yannick Bolasie could make his long-awaited return to Everton's first team squad on Monday after Sam Allardyce gave the most upbeat bulletin of the past 12 months.

The Congolese winger has not featured for Everton since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and damaged his medial ligament and meniscus during a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in December 2016.

It has been a long road back for Bolasie but he had a 30-minute run out for Everton's Under 23s against Leicester on Monday and will play for them again on Friday night in the Premier League International Cup against Dynamo Zagreb.

Yannick Bolasie could make his long-awaited return to Everton's first team squad on Monday

Kick offs not until 7...am I too keen? Wife's not happy I'm wearing my boots round the house! Is this normal or am I just different? pic.twitter.com/WM1eljjMJ5
— Yannick Bolasie (@YannickBolasie) December 15, 2017

Everton boss Sam Allardyce confirmed Bolasie would soon be back in contention

Should Bolasie come through that assignment without suffering any reaction, Allardyce will give serious consideration to including him in his group for their next assignment against Swansea at Goodison Park.

'We have no new injuries from Wednesday,' said Allardyce.

'And we have Yannick playing for the Under 23s tonight. We'll see what happens with that with regards to Monday's game.'

The winger has not featured since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in 2016

Bolasie had a 30-minute run out for Everton's Under 23s against Leicester on Monday

The 28-year-old appeared to be extremely excited to continue his comeback against the Croatian side on Friday. He posted a photo on Twitter of him already wearing his boots in the middle of the day, despite the game not kicking off until 7pm.

Bolasie quickly became a favourite with Evertonians after his £28million move from Crystal Palace in August 2016 and there is no question the team have been screaming out for his pace down the flank.

James McCarthy and Leighton Baines continue to recover from hamstring injuries, with Allardyce unsure when they will be ready for selection, but Ross Barkley is getting closer to a point when he, too, will be available.