Jags eyes sweet November

Jagielka: Eyes November return

I'm going to see the surgeon again in a few weeks and he'll give me more of an idea of how everything is. Then we can see if we can set more realistic aims on when I can come back.

Jagielka on return
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Everton's England international defender Phil Jagielka is hoping to be fully fit and back in action by November.

The former Sheffield United stopper is currently working with the Toffees' medical staff, recovering from knee surgery while his colleagues are on holiday.

Jagielka ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Everton's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the back end of April and will miss the start of the new Premier League season.

The 26-year-old does want not to set too strict a deadline on his return date, although he is due to see his surgeon again in the coming weeks when he should be given a more accurate recovery schedule.

November

"I'm trying not to set myself a target. I've said around November, but it depends," he told Sky Sports News.

"I'm going to see the surgeon again in a few weeks and he'll give me more of an idea of how everything is. Then we can see if we can set more realistic aims on when I can come back."

Wednesday saw the release of next season's fixture list and while Jagielka will miss their opening game of the season against Arsenal, he is looking forward to matches against Liverpool and Manchester United in November.

Excited

Asked which fixtures were exciting he replied: "The ones around the end of October and beginning of November for obvious reasons.

"Obviously you look straight away for the Liverpool games and the Manchester United games. We didn't have to look too far for the Arsenal game as it's the first game. So it's a nice start of the season.

"The fixtures haven't been too hard on us. We've got a couple of home games in the first few games so hopefully we can get a few points on the board and get us challenging for fourth place."