Jagielka struggles with cup final KO

Everton’s injured defender Phil Jagielka is finding it hard to come to terms he will miss the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Jagielka is due to have surgery today on his ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament and faces a six-month lay-off.

He suffered the setback in the defeat by Manchester City at the weekend after being the hero of the penalty shoot-out victory against Manchester United in the semi-final.

Jagielka will be at Wembley for the showpiece match but told evertontv: “I’m not sure how I’ll feel putting a suit on going to watch the boys while on crutches.

“It won’t be a nice feeling but I’ve played a decent part in getting us to the final and hopefully they can get us over the finishing line.”

Speaking of the moment, his season came to a temporary end, he added: “I landed and tried to take off and I just felt three or four different feelings in my knee.

“I just thought ”Wow, I’ve never felt that before“.

“Obviously everyone wanted to come and see me, but one minute I would be fine making jokes and the next I would be crying my eyes out.

“I’ve got great people around me now though. The staff, manager and players have all wished me a speedy recovery and I look forward to returning next season.”