Source: Liverpool_Echo
Everton FC’s Phil Jagielka is loving life again
Everton FC's Phil Jagielka is loving life againPHIL JAGIELKA is having problems hitting his doubles - but the Everton defender couldn't be happier.During his 10-month battle to regain fitness following a serious knee injury, the Blues centre-back channelled his efforts into improving his darts.It helped to pass the time after Jagielka's blossoming career had been cruelly halted by a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.However, since returning to full training last month his time on the oche has been limited.Phil Taylor's status as world number one is safe and Jagielka, who made his comeback as a substitute against Sporting Lisbon last week, is just glad to be back doing what he does best.'It's so hard when you don't have anything to look forward to on the weekend,' he said. 'I really needed to find something competitive I could do while I was out. I tried to play a bit of golf but that wasn't brilliant for my knees so I stopped that.'That just left pool and darts. We've got a board at the training ground and I played a lot. My darts did improve a fair bit but since I've been back involved I've gone back to being rubbish again.'When Jagielka slumped to the Goodison turf against Manchester City last April his world came crashing down. It was just a week after his penalty had secured the Blues' passage to the FA Cup final.The rehab has been long and painful but all the hard graft has paid off.'With that injury there are normally a few complications and there were a lot of frustrating times,' he said.'It was hard and my best friend became the exercise bike.'Thankfully, the medical team and the players helped get me through it. I also owe a lot to my wife and kids who had to deal with a grumpy dad.'The thing I missed most was the camaraderie. We've had a lot of new players this season and although you can have a bit of banter with them, it's nowhere near the same when you are not travelling with them all the time.'It's been great to get my place back on the bus next to Ossie (Leon Osman). Things are a lot happier now. I'm feeling positive and hopefully I can stay fit for the rest of the season.'Jagielka got 40 minutes under his belt against Sporting last week and played the second half at Tottenham last Sunday. The 27-year-old came through unscathed and now has his sights set on a Goodison comeback against Hull City on Sunday.'I've had a few stiff joints and muscles after the two halves I played but I'm feeling good,' he said.'Obviously, it would have been nice not to have lost both games but in terms of my personal progression it was beautiful to get on against Sporting.'I didn't think I would play but when Philippe (Senderos) went down there was a big rush to get my pads and shirt on. I hadn't had any game time because the reserves match I was due to play in was called off but I had been training for a few weeks.