Former Everton assistant manager João Pedro Sousa has backed Blues midfielder André Gomes to bounce back from his horror injury.
The Portuguese was stretchered off in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Goodison Park on Sunday after suffering a fracture-dislocation when falling awkwardly under a challenge from Son Heung-min and Serge Aurier.
He has since undergone surgery to repair the injury and now faces several months of treatment, with it unlikely he will feature again for Everton this season, although there is hope he may return sooner rather than later.
Such an injury is likely to have a significant impact on the Portuguese midfielder, who will have to work hard to reach the levels he has enjoyed previously.
Sousa is under no doubts that the 26-year-old, who he worked with at Everton last year before his departure to take charge at Famalicão in the summer, will come back and may even be better.
“I have already spoken to André Gomes and take the opportunity to send him a hug,” he told Record in Portugal.
“We exchanged a few messages. Fortunately, he is well. He is a champion, a unique player, a fantastic person.
“I am sure he will recover quickly and will be a better player than he was, if at all possible.”
