Andros Townsend steps up Everton comeback after behind-the-scenes glimpse

Everton have offered an interesting behind-the-scenes glimpse of the recovery process Andros Townsend has been undertaking.

The Blues squad returned to Finch Farm at the start of the week to begin their pre-season preparations. Frank Lampard's side are due to face Arsenal, Minnesota United and Blackpool over the course of the next month - with the club also confirming they want to organise a friendly against Dynamo Kyiv before the 2022/23 campaign gets underway.

While the majority of the squad who weren't involved in international football over the break came back to take part in a number of drills and testing sessions to assess their condition after a few weeks off, things are a little different for Townsend. The winger took part in his own sessions away from the rest of the group as he continues his recovery from injury.

The 30-year-old was ruled out of the latter stages of last season thanks to an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in the first half of Everton's 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup in March. The former Eagles man lasted just 16 minutes of the match before going down in the corner after a bright start, being replaced by Demarai Gray.

There was no timescale originally set for Townsend's return other than him being out for the remainder of the campaign. However, the player's father revealed last month that he doesn't believe his son will be back any time soon.

Troy Townsend told The Guardian podcast : “He needs to get back and make the knee stronger and see where the season will take him, but it definitely won’t be the first half [of next season], I will imagine. He’s always said that he’s never been a good patient and that he wants to get back out onto the field of play.

“I think the