Jack Rodwell feels he has put his ankle injury behind him after coming through two games in three days.

After a 45-minute run out against Arsenal on Sunday, he played 70 minutes for England Under-21s in Germany on Tuesday evening.

And he told evertontv that both physically and psychologically, the injury is behind him.

He said: "It's getting better and better each day. When I first came back it was a bit stiff and it was on my mind.

"But against Arsenal it was more free and then there was the Under-21s game which helped.

"At first I was worried about it but now as soon as I step out on the pitch I don't even think about it."

Everton's trip to the north east on Monday evening could see Rodwell line up against a couple of familiar faces at the ground where he made his first ever Premier League appearance.

Jordan Henderson moved up from the Under-21s to play for England against France, while Danny Welbeck gained rave reviews for his display in the Black Cats' 3-0 demolition of Chelsea last time out.

"I have only played with Jordan a couple of times but he is a busy, hard-working player and he's done well to get in the senior squad," said Rodwell.

"I have played against Danny Welbeck all my life. When we were academy players we had some good battles when he was at Manchester United and I was playing centre half.

"He is deceptively quick, he's skilful, has a really good touch and is an all-round good player, but I'm sure our back four can handle him.

"I made my Premier League debut there, but it seems a long time ago and I can't remember much about it."