The Athletic's Patrick Boyland has provided a potentially concerning update on the recovery of Everton defender Ben Godfrey after he contracted the dreaded pandemic at the start of the season.

What's the word?

Godfrey was absent from the Toffees' first four matchday squads at the start of the current campaign after returning a positive test prior to their curtain-raiser against Southampton.

And although the highly-rated 23-year-old has started all six of Everton's games since his return to action, it's believed he's still some way off being fully fit.

Boyland delivered an update on the England international's current status after some below-par performances of late, revealing some rather frightening information about the centre-back's symptoms.

He tweeted: "Ben Godfrey contracted Covid just before the start of the season & has not (yet) been the same since. His energy levels sapped, his heart had swollen & simple sprints took their toll. This was one of Everton’s fittest and quickest players...

"While he is being carefully monitored, this is all relatively new for sports science/medical departments. Scant data or literature. Still uncertainty in the game about best practice."

Fans should be concerned

Although there have been some promising signs of recovery in recent weeks, in particular an impressive performance against Manchester United where he won eight of his defensive duels, Everton fans should still be worried about Godfrey's health and fitness levels.

The most recent international break also allowed the versatile defender extra time to return to 100%, but he informed the Everton website that it's already been a long and worrying road to near recovery.

“The first couple of games were awful — my breathing — and I found myself fatiguing really early on in games, even after a single sprint when normally I’d back myself to be up and down,” Godfrey said.

“I’d be blowing in the first few minutes — it was mad… you can’t describe it unless you’ve experienced it. It was like you had someone else’s body. I’d make a sprint, and it’d feel like I’d played 88 minutes, even though it was five minutes into a game.

“The past couple of games, I’ve felt a lot better and more or less back to myself now, which has been good.”

After a strong start to the season, Everton fans will be hoping Godfrey can play a part in a push for European football, but more importantly, they will all be hoping he makes a full recovery and returns to full fitness as soon as possible.

And, in other news...Everton could soften big Doucoure blow by unleashing "skilful" rarely-seen 18 y/o gem