Bolasie on verge of return after year-long injury absence

Things are looking up for Yannick Bolasie.

On Friday, Everton announced that Bolasie could be considered for the first-team squad to face Swansea City. The Congolese winger is in line to play for the Toffees' Under-23s as they welcome Dinamo Zagreb in the Premier League International Cup, and, if he comes through, a decision will be made before Monday night's Premier League game at Goodison Park.

If Bolasie takes the pitch, it will mark his first Premier League appearance since December 2016, when he sustained a serious knee injury as Everton and Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw.

"We've got Yannick Bolasie training and he will probably play some part for the Under-23s tonight," Sam Allardyce said. "We'll see what happens with that and may - depending on the whole team here - have a discussion on whether that makes him available for selection on Monday night against Swansea."

Bolasie played his first competitive minutes in more than a year on Monday. He came on as a substitute in the 61st minute as Everton's Under-23s suffered a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City in the Premier League 2.

Bolasie joined Everton from Crystal Palace in August 2016 for a transfer fee reportedly valued at an initial £25 million. His return to the first team can't come soon enough after the Toffees collected only 15 points from 13 games under Ronald Koeman and David Unsworth.

Everton is unbeaten in all competitions since appointing Sam Allardyce as manager on the final day of November, and the club's form should improve with Bolasie, who brings a pace and innovation that's lacking at Goodison Park.