Everton manager Sean Dyche has praised out of favour midfielder Dele Alli.

The attacking midfielder, formerly of Tottenham, has been recovering from a back problem this season.

While Alli is not likely to play a lot in the coming weeks, Dyche admitted he is close to returning.

On Alli, he told reporters: “He's still got a bit of a way to go. I wanted to try and keep him involved.

“I think he's in a good place as a person. I like the fact he absorbs it.

“He's had some amazing experiences don't forget – people sometimes do forget that – for still a relatively young player. I was just chatting to him about it because I want to keep him involved in what we're trying to do as a group because it's hard when you're out for that long, it clearly is, and he's been through a lot in that period as well."

Dyche added: “It was just a conversation I had with him and he brought something up I thought was really important and shared it with the players. We were having an honest conversation and he described it really well, this idea of direct play, people presuppose that means kicking the ball down the pitch – no it doesn't – and he was on it straight away.

“He said: 'I get exactly what you mean. Can you play forwards as a first thought?'

“He said: 'Maybe the players need a bit more correcting with that?' So I told the players of the conversation.

“I will try and be open with the players. I want to know their feedback and for them to let us know if they're not understanding something.

“I'm more than happy for them to question things and ask the whys and wherefores. He did that in a very good manner and I thought it was important to share it and share the belief I have in all the players when they do feedbacks, I do listen."