Gerard Deulofeu celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Stoke City. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Gerard Deulofeu believes is on the cusp of a major breakthrough in his long battle against the injury that threatens to end his career.

The 31-year-old has not played a game in more than three years due to issues with his right knee. They started with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury but developed in severity through an infection that has eaten away at his cartilage.

The former Everton winger has refused to give up on his dream of playing competitive football in front of his children again and is hopeful he is about to return to running, a step forward that would represent significant progress.

"I am so happy because I feel the leg is really strong,” he told BBC Sport in his latest interview about his hellish journey. “The...