Everton midfielder Dele Alli is aiming to return to the England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The 28-year-old attacking midfielder has missed the entirety of this season with injury after spending last season on loan at Turkish club Besiktas. Dele returned to Goodison Park with an injury and in January underwent groin surgery which has kept him sidelined ever since.

Dele's contract with the Toffees expires at the end of the season and there are no guarantees he will be offered a new deal by manager Sean Dyche. However, appearing on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, the England international has aspirations to return to the pinnacle of the game.

"The only target I have is the World Cup for now," he explained. "Obviously I am injured right now and I am signed to Everton.

"My mind is taking it day-by-day and making sure my injury heals right and I am in the best possible condition after the summer. It’s annoying because I will just be fully training as the season is ending.

"It’s annoying, but also as a player when you get close you want to push yourself and I think that is what happened the first time. I got too close and thought I was there, let me push and show in the tests and get at the top end of the team even though I have been injured.

"I want to push on and show I am there. Sometimes you need to relax and say okay, let’s not rush this."

Dele had the unenviable task of being on punditry duty as Everton were hammered 6-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Cole Palmer stole the show for the hosts as he scored four of the goals including a 16-minute first-half hat-trick.

The defeat leaves the Blues 16th, two points above the relegation zone.