Leighton Baines has returned to Everton training ahead of schedule in an attempt to hit the ground running in pre-season.
The defender missed out on selection for this summer’s European Championship after a niggling ankle injury limited him to just 20 starts for the Blues in all competitions.
For a while, Baines was considered one of the best in his position in Europe, and the talented left-back hopes to return to those levels for the 2016-17 campaign.
Everton’s players are not due back at Finch Farm until the start of July, with many players still on holiday or competing in Euro 2016 in France.
But the 31-year-old has already kicked off his own preparations for the new season early by taking part in rest and recuperation work over the past week.
“I had a break with some time away with the family. I was doing bits whilst I was away,” he told Everton TV.
“I’ve been in to Finch Farm because it is a more comfortable environment for training with having the gym to yourself and all the correct facilities, bearing in mind the specific things that we get in our programmes over the summer.
“I’m in the middle of that now and I’m trying to get some work done and into decent shape for when we all start back.
“It’s been really relaxing with time to switch off. I’ve spent time with the family in a change of environment. When you get the opportunity to do that, you enjoy it but then get to the point where you start wanting to come back.
“The most difficult thing for me during the summer is doing nothing. I start getting a bit anxious about losing fitness. The difficult thing is forcing myself to take 10 to 14 days of total rest. I’m always happy when I’m away enjoying family time but I’m training as well.”