Gylfi Sigurdsson admits he is struggling with impatience in his injury recovery.
Sigurdsson suffered a knee injury during Everton’s win over Brighton earlier this month which was initially forecast to sideline him for up to eight weeks.
That assessment was dismissed by Sam Allardyce, who refused to place any timeframe on the Iceland international’s current rehabilitation period.
And Sigurdsson has revealed that he has made steady progress in a bid to feature for the Blues again this season as well as his country’s World Cup campaign.
But despite walking without either a protective brace or crutches, Everton’s record signing concedes that he is having to make peace with the waiting game.
He said: “It is hard work and not as good as being out on the pitch training.
“You can understand why it is difficult for the players who have long-term injuries when they have to watch the boys going out training every day.
“Thankfully, mine is not a long one, but it is just part of the game. Everyone has injuries during their career and you just have to get through it.
“I am not very patient, I have to be honest. I like to get things done quickly.
“But I know this is going to take time and I will have to be patient and make sure I am not rushing it. The body will take its time to recover and I have to listen to it.
“I have been very lucky with injuries in my career and, hopefully, I will come back stronger and fitter than ever.
“Knowing your body is important because you can feel and know when it is ready to start going again.”
Sigurdsson will see a specialist in London next Tuesday to assess his injury.