Is Everton defender close to a surprise return?

What is going on with Everton’s injured left-sided centerhalf Ramiro Funes Mori?

The Argentine posted a picture on his Instagram of himself in training yesterday, with no comments beyond an enigmatic Everything is ‘thumbs up’, with further emojis for a football, a Blue dot and hands folded in prayer.

The last time manager Sam Allardyce spoke about him was months ago, with all estimates putting his return at April at the very earliest. Even Premier League injury news pundit Ben Dinnery has pegged him as a condition ‘none’, which is quite puzzling.

Meanwhile he has made some public appearances including during Christmas at the Alder Hey Hospital, and on the Everton Show earlier this month. This is the second such picture he has posted since he underwent knee surgery after picking up an injury before the end of last season.

With Allardyce claiming that the Blues were not looking to make any more additions in the January transfer window, speculation continues to mount that Funes Mori might be the next in line to be tried out at the left back position that Cuco Martina is currently filling in at.

He has certainly filled in without any real distinction at that position for the Argentina national team, and would offer more positional solidity as a natural left-footed player than Martina has, but doesn’t provide the offensive thrust that a real left back would provide such as Luke Garbutt.

With Seamus Coleman making an appearance this week with the Under-23s, we can only assume that Funes Mori will get a run out with the youngsters as soon as he’c cleared for contact.