Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley says he is ready after a lengthy layoff due to successive ankle ligament and groin injuries.

The 26-year-old, who arrived at Goodison Park in the summer, has been sidelined since the goalless draw against Tottenham in August but is set to return when the Toffees host his former loan club Aston Villa on Saturday.

"The last few months have been massively frustrating," he told the club's official website.

"I don't think any player wants to get injured but when you are settling in at a new club and finding your feet pretty quickly - which I thought I was - then it is even more so.

"You have just got to back yourself to come back from it, work as hard as ever, and hope that, when I do get back into the team, it feels like I have never been away.

"Whenever you have a long-term injury, you are susceptible to a couple of hiccups. I just had a little one with my groin in a training session, but you have got to expect these things. It is hard coming back from a long lay-off. But I am as fit as ever now and raring to go."