Jack Rodwell is ready to step up his first team return after a 45 minute run-out against Arsenal.

Rodwell hadn't played since August when he damaged ankle ligaments at Aston Villa.

But after coming on as a half time substitute for John Heitinga on Sunday, the 19-year-old said he was now more confident in his recovery.

“It is a psychological thing,” he admitted. “In the first couple of weeks of training I wasn’t confident at all, my movement was off and everything.

“It plays on your mind a bit and you don’t do well in training and feel a bit low.

“But the more you do in training and the better you get, you start feeling more confident.

“Today definitely helped me in that respect.

“It’s just a case of getting on the pitch now, getting more confidence and getting more minutes under my belt."

Rodwell left Goodison to join up with Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s on Sunday evening, ahead of their game in Germany on Tuesday.

Blues boss David Moyes said last week that he hoped Rodwell would get more match action under his belt and the young midfielder agreed.

“I’m four weeks ahead of schedule so I’m very happy to be back,” he said. “It was my first game back in a long time and while I was pleased to get back on the pitch I was disappointed with the result.

“It felt a bit unusual getting back out on the pitch again and trying to find my feet, but I settled down and was happy with the minutes I got under my belt. Now I just need to build up a bit more confidence and get a bit more playing time. If I can do that I’m sure my performances will come back.

"I’ve got the Under-21s now to hopefully get a bit more playing time and come back in good shape."

Rodwell admitted his joy at making a safe return from injury was tempered by Everton's 2-1 reverse to Arsenal.

“We just weren’t good enough on the day," he said. "We got one late on and it pushed us a little bit, but we didn’t have enough on the day.

“I had a chance myself which I’m disappointed I didn’t put away. It was probably a lack of match sharpness.”