Leighton Baines: 'These times are exciting ahead of injury return'

Everton full-back Leighton Baines has spoken of his excitement as he prepares to make a return from a long-term injury layoff.

The 30-year-old has not played competitively since undergoing two ankle surgeries in May, but the England international is now planning on making a comeback at the end of November.

"This is a dead interesting time for me. It's new. I have never been through anything like it before," Baines told The Telegraph.

"I'm older, I'm going to be 31. I find it all quite exciting, even the question of not having three years on a contract. It's a dead interesting position.

"In the past I have been younger, I have been fit and healthy and playing well. I am not in that situation any more. I am older. I have had two surgeries. I have one more year left [on his contract]. It's quite exciting, to be honest."

Baines joined the Toffees from Wigan Athletic in 2007 for a fee in the region of £6m.