Neville winning mental fight....

Sharpys top lip · December 9, 2009

Phil Neville has revealed his comeback from knee injury has been more about a battle with mental strength rather than physical recovery.

The Everton captain has been out of action since the middle of September after he was stretchered off during the defeat at Fulham.

Neville was further devastated when he suffered a setback just days before he was due to return to the first team fray.

"The rehab is going really well," he told evertonTV. "It was a bad setback for me when I was told I needed an operation but the surgeon did a fantastic job.

"He said I would be back in no time and since I woke up from the anaesthetic my knee has felt great, better than it was before."

Despite having a career that spans 15 years, the former Manchester United man has never suffered a serious injury so this has been a difficult time for him.

"This set back has been a real test of my mental strength," Neville explained. "I had set my heart on being fit for the Manchester United game last month.

"Even just a couple of days before I was well on schedule but it turned out the knee wasn't quite strong enough. I had the wash-out on my knee and since then it has been about focusing on the rehabilitaion."

Far from feeling down, the Captain has been a regular feature at Finch Farm and at Everton games, making sure he is still cheering his team mates on from the sidelines, providing support during a difficult time.

"I haven't been able to feel sorry for myself so I could fully focus on making sure the knee is really strong this time,” he continued.

"I am working really hard. It has helped with the recent turnaround in performances as I am really enjoying seeing the team playing so well.

"I am the captain of the team and it is vitally important that I remain positive and pass that on to the others regardless of if I am playing."

TBH i cant belive how much we'v missed him........

Look at our results since he got injured.!!!!

kenada_blue · December 9, 2009

There's proper no estimated time he'll be back! Could be next week, could be next month.

Annoying that.

micknick · December 9, 2009

I cant wait to see him back.

Neiler · December 9, 2009

Ive missed Captain Phils saying a lot but not saying anythig at all snippets on the OS!

*ok i havnt really!

heatmeiser · December 9, 2009

I saw 2 mentals have a fight once.

Proper funny.

Goat · December 9, 2009

/crying here Heat.

Rook · December 10, 2009

He's going to be a good manager for us someday.

Columbia6 · December 10, 2009

Can't wait for Phil to get back. With him on the pitch we were just beginning to turn the corner this season, we were 1-0 up and cruising against Portsmouth, and had won 4 of our previous 5 games, scoring 14 goals in that time. He went off and Portsmouth absolutely battered us from that point on, no idea how we hung on. Since then (two and a half months ago) the only teams we've beaten have been BATE, West Ham and AEK. We haven't won a home game since Phil got injured.