Dele says he’s “doing very well” and “can see the sunshine” as he closes on a return to the pitch.
The 28-year-old has not performed since February final 12 months, when he was changed at half-time in Besiktas’ 0-0 draw with Antalyaspor.
In July, Dele spoke to Gary Neville on The Overlap and revealed he had voluntarily spent six weeks in rehab within the USA to assist cope with an habit to sleeping tablets, in addition to trauma stemming from sexual abuse he suffered as a baby.
Dele returned to Everton on the finish of his mortgage spell in Turkey final summer time however is but so as to add to the 13 appearances he made for the Toffees beneath Frank Lampard.
Nevertheless, the midfielder is focusing on a return to motion within the close to future, telling Sky Sports activities’ Monday Night time Soccer: “I’m doing very well. I’m injured, which is disappointing, however feeling good.
“Once I did that interview I mentioned it was one of the best I had felt at the moment, popping out of rehab and being prepared to come back again taking part in. It’s been robust nevertheless it’s a journey I’m on and I’m simply ready to get again now.”
Dele – who has 37 caps for England – added: “I tore my rec fem [rectus femoris]. I’ve actually needed to study what endurance is.
“It’s been a protracted journey with the harm – lots of ups and downs – however I’ve discovered lots and it’s helped me develop much more as an individual, which I’m grateful for.
“I’m clearly not grateful to be injured nevertheless it’s been good to actually get to know myself. I believe the ache of the harm is one thing I can actually channel when I’m again and use to inspire me.
“After the interview, individuals had been asking me once I was coming again to soccer and considering I used to be taking a break, nevertheless it’s simply been an harm. It’s one which hopefully I get to the tip of.
“I can see the sunshine on the finish so I’m excited.”
Former Tottenham star Dele was reunited together with his former Spurs boss and present Chelsea supervisor Mauricio Pochettino because the Argentine spoke forward of their conflict with Everton
‘Response to interview was overwhelming’
Dele’s emotional interview final summer time prompted an outpouring of assist for the previous MK Dons and Tottenham midfielder, and he admitted he was stunned on the response he obtained.
“I needed to do it for my causes however once I did the interview, I mentioned that to assist one particular person was all I wanted,” Dele defined. “The assistance and assist was overwhelming.
Dele has not performed for Everton since 2022
“It was superb to see how many individuals it did assist. I am very pleased with it.”
Dele is understandably determined to finish his 14-month absence however says the assist he sought final summer time has helped him to cope with the lengthiest harm of his profession.
“Accidents would have been proper on the high of the listing of issues that might be mentally the hardest to beat,” Dele admitted. “Earlier than this harm, I believe the longest harm I had was eight weeks and that felt like endlessly.
“That’s why I’m grateful I went via the method in the summertime as a result of if I hadn’t discovered every part I discovered, this is able to have been so robust.
“It’s been over a 12 months now the place I’ve simply been desirous to play soccer. It’s made me even hungrier to get again now.”
‘Lampard did not anticipate Everton job to be so robust’
Dele was signed by Lampard after seven years with Spurs in January 2022 and featured 11 occasions throughout the second half of the 2021/22 season because the Toffees efficiently battled in opposition to relegation.
Dele made a key contribution within the 3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park that secured their Premier League survival, approaching at half-time with Everton 2-0 down and serving to to engineer a memorable comeback.
Frank Lampard was sacked in January 2023
However Dele made simply three extra appearances beneath Lampard, who was sacked in January 2023, and is but to function beneath Sean Dyche.
Nevertheless, Dele is grateful for the assist the Everton boss has offered throughout his time on the sidelines and believes the previous Burnley supervisor is taking the membership in the precise path.
“It’s an excellent relationship,” Dele mentioned of Dyche. “It’s pretty much as good as I might have imagined given I’ve not been capable of play. He’s supported me lots and we’ve had lots of superb conversations.
“When Frank was the supervisor and I joined them, the workforce wasn’t performing as properly. I had the dialog with Frank earlier than I joined and his concepts of how he wished to play, however I don’t assume he realised how troublesome the job was going to be.
“It wasn’t his fault. I believe he wished to play soccer and press, however the membership was type of going via a transition from what I might really feel.
“That they had unbelievable gamers with lots of high quality, however some wished to play and a few didn’t. We wanted to remain up and that may trigger lots of issues, particularly if the supervisor’s concepts don’t match what the gamers are prepared for.
“Even being injured, I can see the identification of the workforce now so it’s been superb. Hopefully the membership can hold constructing.”
‘Everton will keep away from relegation’
Dele is assured Everton will keep away from relegation
Everton could be 14th within the Premier League based mostly on their outcomes this season however are as a substitute battling relegation because of a complete of eight factors which have been deducted for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Guidelines.
However Dele is assured his team-mates will keep away from a primary relegation from the Premier League, saying: “We are able to solely deal with the video games – we are able to’t get caught up in what’s occurring.
“They’ve finished an unbelievable job. I can really feel it once I stroll across the place – an actual focus and never getting caught up in every part that’s occurring.
“They’re an unbelievable group of gamers and I hope they’ll end the season sturdy. The probabilities they create, they’ll win most video games. I believe they’ll be high quality.”