Armando Broja injury boost for Everton after David Moyes transfer gamble
The Albania international has been involved in light training drills during the squad's warm weather training camp in UAE
Armando Broja has stepped up his recovery from ankle ligament damage. The striker, on loan from Chelsea, has been unavailable for David Moyes to date after being stretchered off in the final game before the return of the Blues boss.
But he has joined the first team on its warm weather training camp in the United Arab Emirates and footage from the training ground shows him taking part in light drills.
The 23-year-old has endured a tough time on Merseyside after agreeing terms in the final hours of the summer transfer window.
He arrived with an achilles injury that ruled him out until December - Everton gambling on what he could do once fit through a deal that only saw the club begin to contribute to his wages once he was involved in the first team.
That moment came in the final stages of the home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and a positive festive period saw him impress from the bench and earn a place in the starting XI. But a minor injury forced him off against Bournemouth in the first game of 2025 and then, days later, he suffered a serious setback in the final minutes of the FA Cup win over Peterborough United.
Concerned over the lack of striking options available to Everton, particularly as teammates Youssef Chermiti and Dominic Calvert-Lewin also picked up injuries, and the expected recovery time for Broja, the club opened talks with Chelsea about terminating his loan deal - potentially bringing in another Stamford Bridge fringe player instead.
The pace of Broja’s recovery coupled with a paucity of alternative options in the transfer market led Everton to keep hold of the Albania international, however, amid hopes he would be able to return around the time of the international break later this month.
The footage from Abu Dhabi, where the players flew after the midweek draw with Brentford, suggests he is making progress on that ambition. Everton have the option to sign Broja on a permanent deal in the summer should he impress when he returns.