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Dele Alli sets record straight on 'going AWOL' after sarcastic comment from Besiktas boss
Dele Alli has explained his absence from Besiktas training after he was excused of going AWOL by manager Senol Gunes.
Dele Alli has confirmed he is set to return to Besiktas training on Thursday after receiving permission from the club to attend a doctor's appointment. The England international took to social media to explain his absence after Black Eagles boss Senol Gunes threw him under the bus by insinuating their loanee had gone AWOL.
"Dele Alli could not come at this time. It's raining, I guess that's why he couldn't come," Gunes said earlier this week. "We're trying to hear from him. We could not reach him by phone. Hopefully he didn't have an accident."
The Everton attacking midfielder has now moved to clarify his whereabouts, quickly squashing any suggestion of unprofessionalism.
Alli wrote on his Instagram story: "Hey guys, just had loads of messages so wanted to clear something up.
"The club gave me permission to attend a doctor's appointment today. I'm due back in training tomorrow as normal."
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It's understood Alli was back in England to attend an appointment in London but he is due to be back in training alongside his club team-mates on Thursday despite the international break.
On the basis of recent months, it appears Besiktas boss Gunes has lost patience with Alli, who he has repeatedly criticised when speaking to the media.
“Dele Alli has had a good career, but he doesn't deserve to play at the moment," Gunes said in January after he left the Englishman on the bench for the Turkish Cup defeat to Ankaragucu.
Gunes also previously said: "Let’s not discuss Dele Alli as a player but he is below expectations in terms of efficiency.”
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It's been another tough chapter for Alli during his time in Turkey, where he has scored just three goals in 15 outings.
He has been left out of the Besiktas squad for their last three matches which does not bode well given the Black Eagles have recorded three straight victories over Ankaragucu, Istanbul Basaksehir and Istanbulspor.
Despite losing talismanic loanee striker Wout Weghorst to Manchester United in January, Besiktas have recovered well but remain 11 points adrift of Turkish Super Lig leaders Galatasaray.
Alli is expected to return to Everton at the end of the season and will reassess his options.
Besiktas' loan deal does not include a permanent transfer clause, although on the basis of recent months it seems unlikely the Super Eagles would have triggered the option anyway.
Everton Sean Dyche recently confirmed he will hold talks with Alli over his future at Goodison Park after the international break.
The 26-year-old has made just one start since moving to Everton in January 2022 from Tottenham, where he played the best football of his career.
Alli has played 90 minutes on just two occasions since joining Besiktas on loan and his chances of regular minutes between now and the end of the campaign are seemingly dwindling.