Everton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is expecting interest to be shown in midfielder Ross Barkley from Premier League rivals at some point this month.

The 24-year-old, yet to feature for the Toffees this term due to injury, saw a move to Chelsea break down in the final throes of the summer window.

Champions Chelsea have been tipped to return with a fresh bid, with a £35m deal being agreed between the two clubs last year, and Everton are likely to cash in as the Englishman is into the last five months of his existing terms.

With Tottenham Hotspur also reportedly ready to pounce for the soon-to-return midfielder, Allardyce is preparing himself for offers to be made.

"I would expect there would be [an offer] sometime in this window if there's going to be interest from one of the big boys," he told reporters. "I think the club was resigned before I got here that they were going to lose Ross. I can't see that changing."

Barkley returned to training last month and has featured in behind-closed-doors fixtures as he prepares to make his Everton comeback.