Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka is loving life again
Everton FC's Phil Jagielka is loving life again[LNB]PHIL JAGIELKA is having problems hitting his doubles - but the Everton defender couldn't be happier.[LNB]During his 10-month battle to regain fitness following a serious knee injury, the Blues centre-back channelled his efforts into improving his darts.[LNB]It helped to pass the time after Jagielka's blossoming career had been cruelly halted by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.[LNB]However, since returning to full training last month his time on the oche has been limited.[LNB]Phil Taylor's status as world number one is safe and Jagielka, who made his comeback as a substitute against Sporting Lisbon last week, is just glad to be back doing what he does best.[LNB]'It's so hard when you don't have anything to look forward to on the weekend,' he said. 'I really needed to find something competitive I could do while I was out. I tried to play a bit of golf but that wasn't brilliant for my knees so I stopped that.[LNB]'That just left pool and darts. We've got a board at the training ground and I played a lot. My darts did improve a fair bit but since I've been back involved I've gone back to being rubbish again.'[LNB]When Jagielka slumped to the Goodison turf against Manchester City last April his world came crashing down. It was just a week after his penalty had secured the Blues' passage to the FA Cup final.[LNB]The rehab has been long and painful but all the hard graft has paid off.[LNB]'With that injury there are normally a few complications and there were a lot of frustrating times,' he said.[LNB]'It was hard and my best friend became the exercise bike.[LNB]'Thankfully, the medical team and the players helped get me through it. I also owe a lot to my wife and kids who had to deal with a grumpy dad.[LNB]'The thing I missed most was the camaraderie. We've had a lot of new players this season and although you can have a bit of banter with them, it's nowhere near the same when you are not travelling with them all the time.[LNB]'It's been great to get my place back on the bus next to Ossie (Leon Osman). Things are a lot happier now. I'm feeling positive and hopefully I can stay fit for the rest of the season.'[LNB]Jagielka got 40 minutes under his belt against Sporting last week and played the second half at Tottenham last Sunday. The 27-year-old came through unscathed and now has his sights set on a Goodison comeback against Hull City on Sunday.[LNB]'I've had a few stiff joints and muscles after the two halves I played but I'm feeling good,' he said.[LNB]'Obviously, it would have been nice not to have lost both games but in terms of my personal progression it was beautiful to get on against Sporting.[LNB]'I didn't think I would play but when Philippe (Senderos) went down there was a big rush to get my pads and shirt on. I hadn't had any game time because the reserves match I was due to play in was called off but I had been training for a few weeks.
