Andre Gomes: Everton midfielder 'to make full recovery' after successful ankle surgery

Everton's players rushed over to Andre Gomes and Tottenham's Son Heung-min was distressed after seeing the aftermath

Everton midfielder Andre Gomes is "expected to make a full recovery" after he had surgery to repair a fracture dislocation to his right ankle, his club have said.

The 26-year-old Portugal international suffered the injury during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

A club statement said the surgery on Monday "went extremely well".

Gomes will recover in hospital before starting his rehabilitation under the guidance of Everton's medical staff.

Everton's statement added: "On behalf of Andre, the club would like to thank all Everton supporters and members of the wider football family for the overwhelming messages of support we have received since yesterday's match."

• Football world sends best wishes to Gomes

'I wish we'd lost 0-5 and this didn't happen'

Cenk Tosun, who scored Everton's 97th-minute equaliser, said his team's players "nearly cried" in the dressing room after the game.

"You win, you draw, you lose but all that doesn't matter when something like this happens," Tosun wrote on Instagram.

"I wish I didn't score; I wish we lost 0-5 and this didn't happen. I know you will come back stronger bro and we will be there for you."

There was a six-minute stoppage as medics attended to Gomes.

The incident, which involved Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, initially looked innocuous, but the mood immediately changed among the players and crowd as the full extent of the injury became apparent.

Son was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson as Gomes, who was eventually taken off on a stretcher, received extensive treatment.

'More than a football game'

Everton manager Marco Silva backed Gomes to return stronger, and also praised his players for their response.

"This is a bad moment for us and our team - this was more than a football game," he said. "We will give all support to Andre and his family. As a group, we have to stay together and show the spirit we showed following the incident.

"Our players now, they are sad - a tough moment for us in our dressing room and for Andre, but the spirit we showed after that moment on the pitch I think is a good answer for you.

"He is seriously injured but I am 100% sure Andre will become stronger as a football player and as a man, because he is a fantastic lad, a fantastic professional."

Everton midfielder Fabian Delph appeared to still be affected in a post-match TV interview when asked about his team-mate.

"He's one of our brothers, someone we care about deeply," said the former Manchester City player. "It's hard to put into words. The sooner we can get in touch, the better. That was difficult to see."

Analysis - 'recovery is a lonely journey'

Former Coventry City defender David Buust, who suffered a career-ending leg injury against Manchester United in 1996, on Radio 5 Live

If he's anything like I was then you fear the worst. I remember saying to Gordon Strachan when I was on the stretcher at Old Trafford "that's it now, I'm finished".

I don't want to make it sound trivial, but as horrendous as the dislocation looks, if they've managed to put that back in place and there's no soft tissue damage or issues with blood supply, then that's great and there's an earlier recovery from it all. If it's a clean fracture then it'll take less time to heal, so we have to wait for that information.

Recovery is a lonely journey. Initially there'll be a lot of interest when he goes back in to training and sees his team-mates. There'll be a lot of attention and the media will be around it and then all of a sudden you'll be working on your own and you become very isolated.

It's important that you set yourself realistic goals, not saying you'll be back in four, five or six months.