Everton defender Phil Jagielka's return from a ruptured cruciate knee ligament is on schedule.

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."

Jagielka added that he is eager to get back into full training but knows he will have some hard work to do to rediscover the fitness and form which made him Everton's player of the year last season.

"I can't kick balls yet but it's a case of getting the knee right and not doing too much too soon," he told evertontv.

"With the muscle waste my body hasn't been used to doing too much. I have to get my body used to being an athlete again and need to build up the strength in my knee."