Everton midfielder on the comeback trail

What a horrendous season this has been for Everton midfielder James McCarthy. He missed the first couple of months of the season with a knee injury, then picked up a hamstring ailment in the first game of his return, a Carabao Cup game against Chelsea. The Irishman’s first Premier League appearance was in the last game of 2017, and he made it through another three games before sustaining a gruesome double-leg-break against West Bromwich Albion that silenced Goodison.

There is some good news for the player though as he slowly works his way back to recovery, and he spoke to The Everton Show this week, first of all thanking his countryman Seamus Coleman who has fully recovered from a similar career-threatening injury and only just got back to the Toffees’ squad in the last few months.

“Seamus has been different class – and all the lads have been brilliant. But Seamus went through the same injury. He is my best mate at the Club and has been there at the hospital, he came to see me straight after I suffered the injury.

“I looked up and Seamus was at the end of my bed, he has been different class. It is going really well but when I do get a bit of pain, I will ask Seamus and he will tell me what he felt, which is really good.”

McCarthy was also appreciative of the outpouring of support he has received from Blues the world over.

“The fans have been amazing since I came to the Club. They have been brilliant with me and I am so grateful for all the well wishes and cards I have received. I want to say a massive thanks to them as they have been brilliant.

“Hopefully I have done something right (to receive that level of support). But I can do more and it is all going well. The main thing is I get it right and get on the pitch as soon as possible.”

The midfielder appears to be progressing well after seeing his surgeon yesterday, and reiterated that he is looking to join the club for the preseason training programme.

“The medical team have dealt with Seamus and other players with similar injuries over the years, they know the script and how to handle it and they have been brilliant and helped me kick on, as have all the staff at Everton.

“I am pretty impatient at times. It is nice to be running but the main thing is the bones are healing and, hopefully, I will be running on the grass soon.

“I have been on the bikes and doing upper-body work in the gym and have started running. The surgeon is really happy with how everything has gone and the bone is healing really well.

“It has been brilliant to get some good news. At the time it was doom and gloom but so far, so good and it has gone really well, with the help of the lads here.”

Here’s wishing McCarthy all the very best and hoping for a full recovery for the lad.

PS - It didn’t take long, but there’s already rumours being reported by the Daily Mail that Crystal Palace are looking to sign the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his Everton contract.