Rodwell glad to get a game

Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell says his fitness is "getting there" after completing 90 minutes in the pre-season friendly against Villarreal. The England Under-21 midfielder stayed on the pitch for the duration as the Blues slipped to a 1-0 defeat to the classy Spaniards in their final warm-up game on Friday night. Rodwell had an extended summer break following his involvement in the European Under-21 Championship in Denmark, and then missed last Tuesday's trip to Werder Bremen with a chest infection. He told the club website: "I have not had a lot of pre-season because I had those few extra games with the Under-21s and then I also had a bit of an illness last week so it was good to get out there and play the full 90. "Generally I feel really good though. I trained hard last week and did lots of running so I feel as if my fitness is really getting there now. "It was a hard game for us as Villarreal are a really good side who regularly finish high up in La Liga. But we are still warming up for the new season, we will take the positives."