McGeady sets Blues challenge

Everton winger Aiden McGeady is keen to make the most of every minute remaining of his summer football in order to give him the best possible start to next season.

The 28-year-old arrived at Goodison Park from Spartak Moscow in January short of fitness due to the winter break of the Russian league.

He made five starts and 13 substitute appearances and has set his sights on being in manager Roberto Martinez’s first-choice XI on the opening day of next season.

To do that, he wants to maximise his playing time in the Republic of Ireland’s two friendlies against Costa Rica and Portugal in the United States over the next week.

“I haven’t played all that much at the club so far but I’m just looking to play as many games as I can before the end of the season, and hopefully have a good summer, keep myself in good shape and come back to hit the ground running in pre-season,” he said.

“It’s getting into that rhythm of playing 90 minutes every week and getting up to the tempo of the Premier League.

“Hopefully that’s what I’ll do next season. The aim for me is to be in the starting XI in the first game.”