Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell admits the forthcoming season is one in which he has to establish himself as a regular in David Moyes' side.
The 20-year-old has been regarded as one of the Toffees' up and coming stars for a couple of years but he now knows it is time for him to step up a level. Rodwell's performances fell short of expectations last season and he is determined not to the same to happen this time around.
"It's a massive season for me," he said. "I've got to try and establish myself. I'm not a kid any more and I want to be a regular."
Rodwell, currently with the rest of the squad on the pre-season tour of America, hopes to be able to learn a valuable lesson from being involved in England Under-21s' disappointing European Championships campaign in Denmark last month.
"It was disappointing the way it went but we'll take the experience from it because we're all young players," said the midfielder, who completed his first training session on Monday after an extended break because his international commitments.
He added on evertontv: "There was high expectation and there was hype about us and we didn't achieve what we expected but that's football.
"There are a lot of lads who can play in the next tournament so its good experience."
Source: PA
