Baines raring to go

Everton defender refreshed after summer off

Last updated: 27th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Baines raring to go

Baines: Refreshed

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Everton defender Leighton Baines is looking forward to the new season after missing out on the World Cup this summer.

Baines was in contention for a place in Fabio Capello's 23-man squad but suffered disappointment when the final cut was made.

The only consolation for the left-back is that he has been able to relax and now feels totally revitalised ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.

"Hopefully there will be positives to come out of a negative and I'll feel fresher come the start of the season," he explained.

"The summer is always nice and enjoyable. You relax and spend some time with the family - I think everyone enjoys it.

"I put my feet up and fully relaxed during those four weeks but, now it is coming to an end, I think everyone is ready to come back.

"I've had a nice few weeks' break but I was more than happy to come back and get training again."

Hurting

England endured such a poor World Cup that it could be suggested being left out has done Baines no harm.

But the former Wigan defender does not view the situation like that and does not believe any of the players dropped will have felt relief.

Baines said: "I don't think anyone would have been glad.

"Even the lads that were there will take some personal satisfaction they were selected for it and will be proud in the future that they were there.

"At the moment a lot of them are probably still hurting from it but I think as time goes on they will look back on it with a sense of pride.

"The team didn't do as well as people wanted them to but those people were selected and among the best in the country at that time."