Mikel Arteta hopes injury hell will be over in two months: Everton FC latest

Mikel Arteta _300MIKEL ARTETA believes it could be another two months before he can join Phil Neville and James Vaughan in the Everton comeback camp.The Basque star now looks like spending an entire year on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage during his side's goalless draw against Newcastle United in February.A setback ruled out an expected return in October and although the 27-year-old is back in training, he does no expect to be in contention for several weeks.'For the past few days I have been able to run at a good rhythm and I am starting to train with the rest of the squad,' said Arteta.'I don't have pain in my knee. I expect to be back on the pitch in less than two months.'The former Real Sociedad star admits he cannot wait to help his faltering side.'It has been hell,' he said. 'I would spend eight to 10 hours a day just dedicated to recuperating. I was obsessed. But now, fortunately, I can say that everything is going well and all I want is to be with my team-mates and help the team.'Meanwhile PHIL NEVILLE has revealed his delight after enjoying a successful return to action.The Everton skipper made his comeback from injury as a substitute in Monday's 2-0 win over Burnley at Goodison Park.It was Neville's first appearance since he suffered knee ligament damage at Fulham back in September and he came through the 30-minute run out unscathed.Now the 32-year-old midfielder is hoping to line up against Carlisle United in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.'The knee feels great,' Neville said. 'I had only trained for a couple of days before Monday so for me to actually be back involved was a little bit of a miracle.'It was the biggest injury I've had in my career and I'm just thankful now that I'm back on the pitch doing what I enjoy most, playing football, and helping out the players and playing in front of those great fans.'It's been a long road back to fitness for Neville, who had to undergo surgery on torn cartilage last month, and he believes he owes a major debt of gratitude to the club's medical team.'I've been working really hard and we're lucky here at Everton that we've got unbelievable medical staff,' he added.

Source: Liverpool_Echo