Everton Football Club News

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Distin close to Everton return

14 Jan 2010 - 15:16:14

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Defender Sylvain Distin has provided Everton with a timely boost after making his return to training following a five-week absence.

The France centre-half has been sidelined since damaging his hamstring in a Europa League encounter against AEK Athens in early December.

Distin has returned to training on the same day that the Toffees agreed to sell full-back Lucas Neill to Turkish club Galatasaray.

Neill will leave Goodison Park next week after just four months on Merseyside.

"I've been out for a bit more than five weeks, almost six weeks," he told the club's official website.

"I don't think it's the longest injury I've had in my career but it's very frustrating.

"I've got no choice but to get on with it and make sure I come back ready and stronger than I was before."

However, Distin is unlikely to return in time to face former club Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

He added: "I'm not really looking at one fixture because the first two weeks after my injury I thought it would keep me away for another week or a couple of weeks, but it's been longer than I thought.

"I will just try my best to be fit and ready as quick as possible and then it's the manager's choice."