Monday 16 November 2015 10:41, UK
Everton left-back Leighton Baines is confident he will soon be back to his best after two operations on an ankle injury.
Baines is yet to feature this season after undergoing surgery twice in the space of three months.
The England international scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly win over Preston North End on Wednesday and is targeting a return to Premier League action for the first time since May 9 when the league resumes on Saturday.
"The injury has been new ground for me," Baines said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. "It was weird in that respect.
"I have never had more than 10 days off my whole career in terms of stopping and doing nothing, even in the close season.
"I was able to adopt that attitude of, 'Maybe it is a blessing'. I lean towards that, that things happen for a reason.
"You have the initial disappointment and then you pick yourself up. Part of being a footballer is having the ability to do that."
Baines is confident that not only will he make a full return to the Everton squad soon, but that he will also quickly recapture his old form.
"There's no reason I can't be as good as I was five years ago. If I am not I can look at myself in the mirror. It won't be for the want of trying," he added.
"If you had seen me train over the last few months you can see I'm keen to work."
