Ross Barkley has yet to play a competitive game for Everton this season.
England international attacking midfielder Barkley has been on the sidelines since the summer due to a hamstring injury.
Allardyce, who was appointed as the Everton manager last month, has suggested that the 24-year-old could return to action soon.
“He’s not too far away, by the looks of it,” Allardyce told Sky Sports about Barkley. “He looks fit and healthy. The hamstring was a particularly bad one.”
Barkley is one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League, and although there is a lack of consistency in his game, there is no doubt that the Englishman is hugely talented.
With the midfielder’s current contract running out next summer, it could be tempting for Everton to cash in on him in January.
However, it would make sense for the Toffees to keep hold of the 24-year-old until the end of the season if they are to have a successful 2017-18 campaign.
Everton’s recent results and performances suggest that they can end up in the top seven or the top eight, and having a player of Barkley’s quality is only going to enhance their chances of doing just that.
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