Vaughan feared for career

James Vaughan has admitted he feared for his career due to a serious knee injury.

Vaughan, the Premiership's youngest ever scorer, had to have surgery in the United States a year ago to cure a troublesome knee injury.

The 18-year-old was on the score sheet in Everton's 4-1 thrashing of Fulham, and is delighted to be back after being terrified he would never play again.

"It has been a long way back for me since the injury - I was out for almost 15 months. In fact, it was 12 months this week that I had the knee operation in Colorado," Vaughan said.

"At that point, I didn't know whether I would play again so I'm just enjoying every moment now.

"I was terrified I would not play again. But I had fantastic support from my family, the coaches and people at Everton and my friends. Because of them, I have got back playing again.

"There's not a problem at all now, touch wood, and I am really enjoying the challenge of playing against Premier League defenders.

"They are all tough and difficult, but I just love being in the side and playing against that sort of quality. I hope it will just keep going."

Vaughan's excellent all-round performance at Goodison Park will ensure he keeps his place in the side for Monday's trip to Bolton in what could be a crucial game in The Toffees' bid for a European spot.

"It was a great performance by the lads (against Fulham), and it was sweeter for me to get one of the goals," he added.

"I've done okay against Arsenal and Villa in the previous two games but I didn't get a goal. You can play as well as anyone but, for strikers, it is not enough because we are judged on goals. So I needed that one.

"Our target is to get into Europe, and we all believe we can do just that."