Broja Sets Sights On Senior Team Action

Armando Broja spoke of "playing football with a smile on my face" again as the striker set his sights on Senior Team action with Everton.

The 23-year-old took a major step forward in his recovery from a foot injury with a first appearance for the Club after turning out for Paul Tait's Under-21s on Monday night.

The Albania international, who joined on a season-long loan from Chelsea on transfer deadline day, played the opening 45 minutes in the 1-0 Premier League Cup defeat to Watford. 

Broja, speaking to evertontv after the match, said: "It was good to be back out on the pitch. It's been a while since my injury so it's just a nice feeling to be back out there playing, feeling the game, being back on the grass, playing and enjoying football with a smile on my face.

"I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to just keep on progressing and hopefully be back with the Senior Team. I was also excited to put on the Everton shirt, it was a really good feeling. Hopefully I can put on the shirt for the Senior Team soon."

The striker is now looking forward to more match action, but he agreed patience is key as he continues his recovery.

"I got through the first 45 and I felt like I could have probably played more but it was always planned for me to play 45, so it was a good start for me.

"As a player, you've always got to be patient. Patient with chances, patient with injuries, patient with situations that are not always in your control. I would have loved to have been back sooner but it's one of those ones where you just have to be patient, take your time with it, make sure you're feeling good, make sure everything's right.

"When I first came to Everton, I would have given anything to be out there on the pitch with the players. That's what any player wants: to be in there with the squad week in, week out, playing and training. You need to be patient, you need to be resilient and strong."