Everton midfielder Dele Alli has gone AWOL in Turkey and isn't answering the phone to Besiktas, says coach Senol Gunes.

Alli is on-loan at Besiktas this season, though has struggled for form and was told by Gunes last week not to expect to play again this season.

In the latest development in the saga, Gunes has now claimed the club are having trouble getting hold of him.

However, this is disputed by Alli, with the player's representatives insisting that he had been given permission by the club to travel back to London for a doctor's appointment.

Indeed, Alli himself took to Instagram to confirm his side of the story.

He wrote: "Hey guys just had loads of messages so wanted to clear something up.

"The club gave me permission to attend a doctor's appointment today. I'm due back in training tomorrow as normal."

Gunes had suggested Alli - who was permitted some time off from training - may not have returned to the club "because it's raining" - and said he "hoped he didn't have an accident".

"Dele Alli could not come at this time. It's raining, I guess that's why he couldn't come. We're trying to hear from him," he said. "We could not reach him by phone. Hopefully he didn't have an accident."