Everton FC

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Moyes wary of rushing Arteta

27 Jan 2010 - 11:04:19

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Manager David Moyes has warned that it will take some time for midfield playmaker Mikel Arteta to get back to his best, following a lengthy injury lay-off.

The 27-year-old Spaniard appeared as a substitute in the 2-1 FA Cup fourth round defeat by Birmingham City, having been sidelined for 11 months by serious knee ligament damage.

However, Moyes is aware that Arteta will need time to regain full match fitness.

He told the club's official website: "It is like having a new signing having Mikel back, but I have already said we need to give him time.

"He played a bounce game yesterday at the training ground, but he was only able to complete 30 minutes because he had a slight groin strain.

"A lot of these things happen when you are recovering from injury, but we know that is the way.

"We just need to be mindful that he is coming back from a year out and we can't expect him to come back as the same Mikel Arteta who left us a year back."