Everton defender Phil Jagielka's return from a ruptured cruciate knee ligament is on schedule but the centre-back admits he is finding his rehabilitation difficult.

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The 26-year-old had an operation in April after being carried off on a stretcher at home to Manchester City and is not expected to return to first-team action until November.

Jagielka is looking forward to the rest of the squad returning for pre-season training next week to give him a boost in his recovery.

"Everything is on schedule. It's a long process which is starting to get to me a little bit but I've got to keep smiling," he said.

"The rest of the boys will be back in soon enough and they will have some stories and a bit of banter to keep me going for another month or two.

"When everyone is back I'm sure the days will go a lot quicker. I'm still looking at November. I go to see the specialist in four weeks and he will give me an idea how it is all doing."