James Tarkowski has confirmed what many observers had commented on – that he has been playing through an injury issue since before the start of the season.
Speaking to the Everton website, he explained that he has not been 100%, although this has not stopped him playing every minute of every game so far this season.
Tarkowski’s proud record of starting every single one of Everton’s 82 league games since his arrival came under threat at the beginning of the current campaign. He suffered a troublesome glutes injury early in pre-season and a subsequent back issue is now being managed back to full health.
“It was a frustrating one in pre-season. It was the first Gaffer’s Day I’ve missed since I’ve known him – that’s how unusual it was for me,” he said.
“It’s been about managing load between games to get back up to full speed for me, which is difficult because I’m someone who likes to be out on the grass all of the time and I really don’t like missing training sessions, so I’ve had to accept that slower pace than I like.
“I’ve not been playing in absolute agony, it’s just hindered my fitness levels a little bit and not being able to train all the time and be on the grass all the time doesn’t help when it comes to a weekend. It’s not ideal but some players have probably done it for a number of years over their careers because they have to manage injuries. I’ve never been through it before and it’s the first time I’ve had to do it.
“Ultimately, I’ll do whatever I can to be on the pitch, so that’s what I’ve done and I’m getting there now. I’m feeling better all of the time and I’ve been training more than I was in the first few weeks of the season.”