In a week in which Everton released the dates that season tickets will go on sale for their new stadium, and in which the club's takeover by The Friedkin Group is set to be completed, the news may have gone under the radar. But for the player concerned, it's big.

It was back in January that one of the Blues' brightest young talents suffered an horrific knee injury. It was so severe, that he's not been able to play since.

But a major milestone recently arrived when the player in question, 21-year-old winger Stanley Mills, returned to training with the first team.

READ MORE: 'Absolutely phenomenal' - New Everton stadium labelled a 'game changer' as key deadline nears

READ MORE: Everton striker 'truly sorry' for crazy sending off on edge of FIFA glory after remarkable revival

Sharing an update on his Instagram account, Mills posted a picture alongside the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jake O’Brien and Jarrad Branthwaite at Finch Farm with the caption: "11 months later… Feels great to back out there."

It is a major breakthrough for the youngster, whose promising loan spell at then League One Oxford United was cut short on January 6 when he was stretchered off in an FA Cup third-round tie at Coventry City.

The nature of the injury forced his early return to Everton, where he has since had the support of medical experts that have worked closely to build him back toward full fitness.

Mills has impressed medics with his resilience and perseverance and, after returning to the grass at the end of October, is now involved in first-team training.

We reported last month that interest in his services is growing given the impact he made at Oxford before he suffered the cruel blow. Clubs, some as high as the Championship, have been monitoring the final stages of his recovery and rehabilitation with a view to making a loan move.

Everton's under-21 team do not play again until January 10 in the new year, when they travel to West Brom, so game time, barring any in-house friendlies, could be limited before the transfer window opens.

But the most important thing is that Mills can now get his promising career back on track.

Former Everton manager Frank Lampard was a fan, taking him with the senior squad to the USA in the summer of 2022 and then to Australia during the World Cup break that followed months later.

Between those trips Mills made his first-team debut in a Carabao Cup win at Fleetwood Town during a remarkable season that also saw him hit double figures for the under-21s.