Rafael Benitez says Lucas Digne is ‘nearly ready’ to make his Everton return.
Digne suffered a thigh injury during France’s final Euro 2020 group encounter with Portugal which ended his involvement at this summer’s tournament.
The world champions’ coach Didier Deschamps described the left-back’s issue as ‘very complicated’ and was unable to offer a time frame on his recovery.
But Benitez is hopeful of Digne being back in contention for the start of the Blues’ new Premier League campaign against Southampton on August 14.
Carlo Ancelotti’s successor has been in regular contact with the 27-year-old during his recovery and is buoyed by feedback he received from the player.
“I had contact with him [on Wednesday morning], he is training well, doing his job and ready to join the team as soon as possible,” said Benitez.
“He is a great professional and I know he is working hard.
“My exchange of messages with him has been good because he is telling me he is nearly ready.”
Benitez also reflected on Richarlison’s involvement for Brazil at the Olympics despite it ruling him out of the visit of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side next month.
He told Everton TV: “I was in contact with him, he had the Olympic Games in the back of his head, we needed to sort out his situation and he is fine.
“He is happy because he can go there… and he knows he has to give us something back because we were supporting him.
“That [not being involved at start of season] could be something we can consider not great in the beginning but will be a massive boost for us in the rest of the season because he will try to deliver.”