Everton FC’s James Vaughan will have to show his strength again

IT'S only six short months since James Vaughan's beaming smile proved one of the iconic images of Everton's FA Cup semi-final success at Wembley. Vaughan had been named on the substitutes' bench for the showdown with Manchester United after a five-month absence.Not only did he come on for the final 20 minutes of extra-time, he demanded the responsibility of a penalty-kick in the ensuing shoot-out - and buried a laser-guided shot.He will need all the character and temperament he showed that afternoon to overcome the latest setback to his promising career.Vaughan has already endured more injury misfortune than any footballer should have to suffer in an entire career.A serious knee injury sustained on international duty with England under-18s was followed by a series of increasingly bizarre problems.How many players have been unlucky enough to sever an artery in a foot? Or dislocate a shoulder in a pre-season friendly?Or have a scheduled operation with world renowned surgeon Richard Steadman postponed - because the doctor had suffered a broken arm skiing?Now Vaughan has undergone a cartilage operation, just two appearances into a loan move to Derby designed to give him more match-time.

Source: Liverpool_Echo