Source: SKY_Sports
Osman - We can still succeed
eon Osman has moved to reject suggestions that Everton's season could be derailed by the injury to Mikel Arteta.[LNB] Arteta was stretchered off the pitch against Newcastle last week, with post-match scans revealing cruciate ligament damage that will entail a projected recovery period of more than six months.[LNB]Many believe that Everton's current good form simply cannot be sustained without their talismanic midfielder, but Osman is not willing to throw in the towel just yet.[LNB]"Mikel is a player of the highest quality and any team would miss him," he admitted.[LNB]"But we are not a one man team and there are a lot of people waiting to come in and fill the space.[LNB]"I certainly feel we've got enough quality in the squad to still create chances and we've got the players to put those chances away.[LNB]"With Mikel out I'm sure other lads will step up and deliver for the team."[LNB]Osman experienceArteta has put on a brave face since sustaining the injury, insisting that he will be back fitter, stronger and sooner than anticipated.[LNB]But Osman knows better than most just how difficult the recovery will be in reality - having suffered a cruciate tear himself at the beginning of his career.[LNB]"It kept me out for eight months and it's a long, hard road with all the rehab but Mikel has certainly got the mental toughness to get through it," he added.[LNB]"Obviously he was disappointed at first but now he's very upbeat and good luck to him - I hope he can stay positive throughout.[LNB]"He will have the best surgeons and the best people possible to help with his rehab so hopefully we will see him back playing a lot sooner than eight months."[LNB]
