Two gongs for Jagielka

19 May 2009 07:41
Unlucky Phil Jagielka may be out of the FA Cup final but some compensation came when he picked up an awards double on Monday night. The 26-year-old Everton defender was named as the players' player of the year and the supporters' player of the year at the club's annual awards dinner. Jagielka, who admitted to "crying his eyes out" when he realised he would miss out on Wembley with damaged knee ligaments, said: "There are two ways to deal with this. You can either be grumpy for six months or you can try to get on with life with as much lightheartedness as possible. "That's what I am trying to do. It was shattering to realise I would miss the final, but everybody has been outstanding trying to help me." He added: "It has been a whirlwind 18 months at the club, and I would have loved to finish it off with the final. But hopefully I will come back as good as before. People say it makes you a stronger character and to have the fans behind me wanting me to get back has meant the world to me. "I've got great people around me. My family, friends, the players and staff at the club and the manager. Everyone is wishing me a speedy recovery."

Source: Eurosport