Silva sets Bernard return target

Marco Silva has set the Everton coaching staff the task of getting Bernard back to full fitness by the end of the upcoming international break. Bernard, a free transfer signing in the summer of 2018 after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, suffered ligament damage in his right knee in the first half of last month’s 3-2 defeat at Brighton.
That setback came after shining in the 2-0 win over West Ham, namely producing a dogged run before squeezing the ball home to open the scoring after 17 minutes.
The Brazilian also netted the only goal in August’s 1-0 win over Watford and has developed a happy knack of striking at the right time, providing rare inspiration to what has been an uninspiring Toffees side this season.
After missing the 2-0 EFL Cup win over the Hornets and Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham, the injury will also keep him out of Saturday’s trip to Southampton.
With just a place separating Everton in 17th and their relegation rivals, having the 27-year-old available would have been handy for Silva and he is keen to get him back on the field.
The trip to St Mary’s precedes a fortnight’s break for the Premier League as players head off on international duty.
Fellow strugglers Norwich are then on the agenda for Everton and Silva has told his medical team to do all they can to have Bernard fit for the clash against the Canaries. “I would like to see him again after the international break,” Silva told the Liverpool Echo. “I know I am putting some pressure on our medical staff and on my staff to get him in a good condition. “You know, we always have a date in our mind and it is always a bit big but I am trying to put the normal pressure on them to see if Bernard will be with us after the international break, but let’s see.”