Ben Godfrey has insisted that he wasn't surprised by his own performance levels on his return to the starting line-up for Everton against Manchester City, because of the amount of work he has put in.
The 24-year-old defender had not played a minute of senior action since he suffered a fractured fibula and damaged ankle ligaments less than 10 minutes into Everton's first game of the season against Chelsea at Goodison Park. But he returned as a second-half substitute on Boxing Day against Wolves and was then named in the eleven for the match against Manchester City.
Operating in a three-man central defensive trio, Godfrey helped the Blues to recover from their disappointing defeat five days earlier to take a point off the Premier League champions at the Etihad. But when asked if his solid outing had been unexpected on his first start in four months, he felt quite the opposite.
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Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "No, it's a strange one... After an injury like that people from the outside can maybe wonder how you're going to come back but people don't understand how many hours of hard work I've put in.
"As I said, the people around me as well - the physios, my family and friends... Whether that's on-pitch rehab or at home with the people around me, so much has gone into it. So it's difficult to say I've surprised myself because you get out what you put in, but it's very enjoyable to be back. Health is wealth. I'm so appreciative of being back and being able to play again."
The York-born defender will be hoping that Blues boss Frank Lampard keeps faith with the three at the back system, in order to retain his place in the side when Everton host Brighton & Hove Albion at Goodison Park on Tuesday.
But whether the formation is retained or not, Godfrey is confident that the Blues are adaptable to any situation as they look to build a solid base to climb up the Premier League table, away from the relegation zone trap door.
He added: "We always knew from pre-season - and we did it last season as well - that we can switch from a back four to a back three. We've got the players to do it. It comes down to whatever the manager thinks is more suitable for us in-game and we can execute it. There is healthy competition throughout the squad and that's important to keep standards high in training and in games. If you're not performing then there's always someone who can come in and take your place.
"What I would also say is with that competition, we've got a good spirit. It's never bitter. Whoever starts, whoever is on the bench, we keep each other going and that's going to be massive for us."
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