Everton full-back Leighton Baines has revealed that he is feeling "great" having made his first start for the club in seven months during the 1-1 draw with Norwich City on Saturday.
Baines played the full 90 minutes at Carrow Road as the Toffees were pegged back for a draw, hitting the post in the first half during what was his first full game since May.
The 31-year-old had made two sub appearances before being handed the start, and he is keen to keep on building towards peak fitness in the coming weeks.
"This last 10 days or so I've felt great, everything I've done there has been no reaction and I'm close to being pain-free. I'm in a positive place," Baines is quoted as saying by PA.
"Getting on in a couple of games was good psychologically and it was good just to be in and around the first team again. It had been a long time. Seven months is a long time to be out and so there are going to be little ups and down and I can't expect to be perfect at the moment but I am really happy with where I am at.
"Hopefully there will be more opportunities to tick more boxes and get more minutes and that one on Saturday was a big one for me getting 90 minutes, it was a full game and required me to manage myself through that."
Everton, who currently sit 10th in the table, take on league leaders Leicester City on Saturday in their final match before Christmas.
Barney Corkhill
