Returning manager David Moyes has revealed that injured Armando Broja could be sent back to Chelsea as he admitted that Everton “definitely” need to strengthen their squad before the January transfer window closes. Albania international striker Broja joined Everton on a season-long loan from Chelsea on deadline day of the summer window with an option for a permanent move but his Goodison Park career might now be over after just half a dozen outings.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off shortly after coming on as a substitute for Beto in Everton’s 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Peterborough United and as one of only two domestic loans the Blues are allowed, he could now be sent back to Stamford Bridge to free up a space given that he looks likely to be sidelined for much of the remainder of the campaign.

Moyes said: “We think he’s going to be out for somewhere between 10 and 12 weeks. It’s an ankle ligament injury.

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“It would probably mean that there’s a possibility – and it’s not done yet – that he would have to go back to Chelsea because we can’t get loans in as well, our loans are full.”

Representatives of The Friedkin Group were present at Goodison Park for Everton’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in Moyes’ first game back and with confirmation the day before that the Blues – along with all other Premier League clubs – had avoided PSR breaches for 2023/24, the 61-year-old is hoping to bring in some new signings before the end of the month now the new owners are in place.

He said: “It’s a huge challenge at the moment, I can see that. I think the one thing I can see is that Sean has brought in a great group of players with their attitude and their commitment, they’re great, great boys. We’re desperately needing to add some quality in certain areas, mainly to create and craft goals, and it looks like to finish as well, we’re needing to get those levels up.

“You’ll know the situation the club has been in, and it’s not been able to go to a level in the market which might make the difference.”

Moyes added: “You might know more than me because of the PSR, I do know that we’ve still got a bit to do, but we’ll definitely need to do something. We need to find ways, and try and act in some way if we can.

“In the same breath, if it’s not going to improve it, we could buy someone to make the squad look better and you boys write some stories for a few days about it, but the truth is, if it’s not going to be someone which makes the team better then there’s no point in wasting our money. So we have to get that option of somebody we think could do better than what we’ve got.”

The Blues boss continued: “I’m sure it’s what Dychey was probably talking about in his time as well. We do need to bring in players, I think we need to add to the squad if we can.

“We’ve just got to be careful that we don’t go too much. We’ll have to see what we can do, definitely.”