Everton say Jean-Phillippe Gbamin is close to returning to full training after surgery in February to repair a tear in his quadriceps tendon.
Gbamin's first season on Merseyside has been hampered following a training-ground injury shortly after making his debut against Crystal Palace in August.
The Ivorian though is "extremely positive" over the progress he is making under guidance of first-team physiotherapist Adam Newall.
"He is working tirelessly to get back and sometimes I have to rein him in a little bit," Newall told the Everton website.
"We are pleased with where he's at in his recovery. With the surgery he had, the idea is to slowly increase the flexibility in the muscle and progressively ramp up its strength.
"Once you're happy with those parameters - which we are now - we can increase function. If we were back at Finch Farm this week, he'd be ready to build on his outside rehab with the physios.
"Therefore, we are slowly introducing sports-specific movements this week. He is extremely positive and looking forward to mixing with the lads and pushing to be back in training."