Everton’s Phil Jagielka: Return of Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill can fuel strong end to season

Phil Jagielka, Everton (Getty Images)

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Everton defender Phil Jagielka is optimistic his team can conjure a strong finish to the season, as star duo Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta both return from injury.

Talking of Cahill’s forty-five minute return to the Everton side at Old Trafford on Saturday, after the Australian had been forced to watch from the sidelines since February with a foot injury, Jagielka said: “It’s great to have him back. I don’t think he’s fully fit but he knows the squad is not the biggest at the moment and sometimes we might need him to come off the bench.

“We’ll have to play it by ear how much he can play between now and the end of the season. He’s a character around the dressing room too, his return is a massive plus for us.”

“Hopefully Mikel’s close to coming back as well, so it might be a little bit brighter for the last few games of the season.”

Everton’s eight-game unbeaten leauge run came to an end at Old Trafford on Saturday courtesy of a late Javier Hernandez goal, and they will look to get back to winning ways against Wigan this Saturday to keep alive any slim hopes of bagging a European place.