After missing near four weeks through injury, the ex-Barcelona superstar could be in line restart first-team responsibilities this weekend.
Andre Gomes is available to attribute for Everton from Arsenal on Sunday, with Carlo Ancelotti open to beginning the midfielder.
Gomes has been out of action since November after suffering a severe ankle injury in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Goodison Park.
The playmaker’s absence, together with injuries and suspensions to Morgan Schneiderlin, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fabian Delph, has abandoned the Toffees lacking in midfield choices at times in the intervening period.
However, the prior Barcelona participant returned to training in January and, after finishing a 60-minute training game this week, has been passed fit to return for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Everton sit two points ahead of Mikel Arteta’s side, with both clubs pursuing European qualification, and Ancelotti is ready to begin Gomes if the player feels he’s ready.
“Andre is available to perform. He coached well, correctly, with confidence and with no problems,” Ancelotti, who included Theo Walcott is very likely to miss out through injury against his former team, told a news conference.
“My opinion is that he is about to play. Before the game we’re going to talk together and determine whether he can begin the game or if he moves on the seat.
“We’ve got very important games. Now we must concentrate on Arsenal, then we’ve got Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. After we can see what’s happening for Europe.”
Everton are searching for a third consecutive Premier League win, with the Toffees having lost only one top-flight game since Marco Silva was sacked in early December.
Goals from Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin finally secured a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last time out, though Jordan Pickford’s error had enabled Christian Benteke to cancel out Bernard’s opener.
Ancelotti, however, has absolute faith in the England international goalkeeper.
“To be England number one is a huge responsibility,” Ancelotti said. “He deserves this because, in my view, he’s the greatest English goalkeeper.
“In the match against Crystal Palace he made a mistake but a fantastic save. You can take a error, but you will need the character to proceed quickly.
“Jordan is really critical for us, he’s a whole goalkeeper.”
