Everton FC

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Jagielka ready for tough times

29 Apr 2009 - 10:41:19

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Everton central defender Phil Jagielka has admitted that it is a bitter blow to have been ruled out of the FA Cup Final by a serious knee injury.

The 26-year-old ruptured the cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City last weekend and faces around six months out of action as a consequence.

He told the club's official website: "It's been a whirlwind last 18 months and I would have loved to finish it off with a final, but as it is I finished it off with an injury.

"I'm not sure how I'll feel putting a suit on going to watch the boys whilst on crutches.

"It won't be a nice feeling, but I've played a decent part in getting us to the final and hopefully the boys can get us over the finishing line."

Of the moment when he suffered his injury, Jagielka added: "I landed and tried to take off and I just felt three or four different feelings in my knee.

"I just thought 'wow, I've never felt that before'. I've been tackled and felt pain before, but it wasn't the pain that was hard to take, it was knowing that I had done something serious and I obviously didn't know what it was.

"I think it's the way most of the injuries like that are done these days. The last thing I want to be doing is blame someone for a mistimed tackle.

"So if there is a good way to get injured then it's from a freak accident and I have no-one to blame.

"I went for the scan straight away because I wouldn't have slept. After the scan they knew that there was a gap where my cruciate was supposed to be.

"I've got great people around me now though. The staff, manager and players have all wished me a speedy recovery and I look forward to returning next season."