Everton winger Yannick Bolasie close to first-team return

Everton winger Yannick Bolasie has been pencilled in to continue his comeback for the club's Under-23 side on Friday night.

Bolasie has not made a first-team appearance since December 4 after suffering a serious knee injury, but the midfielder featured in the second-string side earlier this week.

Should the 28-year-old come through a Premier League International Cup match with Dinamo Zagreb will no ill effects, boss Sam Allardyce has indicated that the wideman could be named on the bench in the club's Premier League fixture with Swansea City on Monday night.

Since the arrival of Allardyce, Everton have claimed seven points from three games in the top flight, results which have taken the club into the top half of the standings.

However, the new manager has claimed that his players are 'running on empty', leading to the possibility of Bolasie being given his 16th outing since signing from Crystal Palace.