Seamus Coleman has admitted that he is relishing his Everton road to recovery.
The full-back faces up to six months on the sidelines following an horrific double leg break in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Wales last month.
Earlier this week Coleman returned to the Blues’ Finch Farm training base as he prepares to begin his rehabilitation from the season-ending injury.
And the 28-year-old, a £60,000 signing from Sligo Rovers in 2009, admits that he is enticed by the challenge which lies ahead to reboot his Goodison Park career.
He said: “I’ve had tough journeys before in the past.
“It hasn’t been a smooth journey to play for Everton and to captain my country.
“I’m a fighter and there’s a part of me that’s looking forward to this challenge. It’s something to start all over again and fight for.
“I’ve started with very small exercises in the gym. I’ve been doing some walking in the pool and aqua-jogging.
“It’s just good to be back in and around the club and feeling like a professional footballer again.
“It was great to be around my family and friends back home but I’ve been itching to get back. It’s small steps but I’m ready to work.
“I’m really enjoying it and looking forward to the challenge ahead because it’s going to be tough.
“But I’ve had tough journeys before and this is just another one.”
Coleman’s initial recovery from Neil Taylor’s tackle was spent in Ireland, where Ronald Koeman led an Everton delegation on a visit to the player’s home.
Accompanied by captain Phil Jagielka and several technical staff members, the group delivered an array of get-well-soon cards which supporters had sent in.
It was a move which touched Coleman greatly ahead of his return to Merseyside.
“Until something like this happens you don’t always realise how fortunate you are to play for this club, to play for the national team and to have all that support behind me,” he told evertontv.
“Every little card meant so much to me and my family.
“All those well-wishes will get me through this tough period because people have gone out of their way to send cards, to send prayers and it definitely gets you through it.
“I always knew this was a great club, a special club. I never wanted this injury to happen but it has reminded me that the club is amazing, as is the support I had from all the fans.
“I try to get involved as much as I can and help people outside of the game and I think I got that support back 10 times over.
“I couldn’t possibly thank everyone because there’s too many but everyone has played their part so far and it’s my job now to do the rest and get back on that pitch.”