Assistant manager Steve Round has backed Everton midfielder Dan Gosling to make a full recovery from the cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered in March.
Although the 20-year-old will not have recovered in time for the start of next season in three months' time, Round is happy with the way Gosling's rehabilitation has been going.
Gosling ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the goalless draw against Wolves in March.
"Dan is doing very well after his surgery," Round told the club's official website."There was less damage than we first thought so that was a positive.
"The surgery went really well. We are very pleased with his progress so far but it is going to be a long haul for the boy. He has got a lot of rehabilitation to do and a lot of hard work ahead of him.
"They couldn't do the operation straight away because of the swelling but Dan was still about with us all at Finch Farm.
"There was a lot of swelling on the knee so we had to wait for it to settle down. The surgeon was really good, he is one of the best in the world. He has been very successful for us in the past.
"All being well, if Dan puts the time and effort in, listens to the physios and follows the programme there is no reason why he shouldn't make a full recovery."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email