On-loan Everton defender Eliaquim Mangala has vowed to return "even stronger" after undergoing surgery on a knee injury that looks likely to keep him out for the rest of the season.
The 26-year-old suffered the suspected ligament damage in the first half of the Toffees' 3-1 win against Crystal Palace on February 10 - just his second appearance for the club upon joining on a temporary basis from Manchester City.
Manager Sam Allardyce recently suggested that he does not expect to have the French centre-back in his ranks before the end of the season, though Mangala has posted a positive update on his official Instagram page.
"Operation done," he posted. "Now, let's get to work, to come back #EverStronger. Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. #BatManga."
Mangala was sent on loan to Everton on January deadline day after being deemed surplus to requirements by Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
