Everton midfielder Ross Barkley admits he's disappointed with his form this season.

Barkley began the campaign by damaging his medial ligaments and he has struggled to recapture his swagger, playing in unfamiliar roles out on the wing.

"It has been a tough season for me," said Barkley. "I'm still learning and I am still a young lad. Every game is different and because last year was my first full season in the Premier League and then maybe no one really knew about me.

"Maybe this season they know part of my game and it is up to me to learn and adapt. If people think they know what I am going to do, I have to come up with something different and have other options.

"Our season hasn't been the best and everyone else is still learning, but hopefully this season will be a good experience for me. I know I haven't been at my best but the gaffer will give us confidence in training saying he knows what we are capable of.

"All the backroom staff and the more vocal lads in the team like Gareth Barry, Sylvain Distin, Jags, Bainesy, Tim Howard - all the older lads in the team, the most experienced ones, they help us because they have all been through similar experiences. Listening to what they say helps."