Christian Norgaard says he is getting closer to fitness as he waits to make his first appearance for Everton.
The Denmark midfielder joined from Arsenal in August in a deal reportedly worth £7m but suffered an injury before he could make his debut. Six weeks later, David Moyes is still waiting to use one of his summer signings.
Norgaard hopes Everton debut is not far away
Norgaard admits sitting on the sidelines has been difficult, particularly after enjoying his first few weeks at the club.
“How I have been received by the fans and my team-mates is incredible,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“It’s about what happens out there, and I’m missing at the moment. That is a little bit frustrating.
“I have a small injury at the moment, but soon, hopefully I’ll be ready, and I can’t wait to get out there for the first time. We’re hopefully close; I can’t really put a time frame on it. I feel like we are getting very close, so not too long.”
Moyes had already conceded that Everton expected to have Norgaard available sooner.
“He’s still unavailable. We’re hoping we get him back maybe somewhere after the international break, that’s what we would hope,” he said before the Tottenham game. I don’t think we expected it to be as long as this.”
Norgaard is yet to train on grass with the first team, with Moyes describing that as the most disappointing part of his recovery. The Everton manager also made clear why he wants him back.
“He’s hugely important for us. He’s someone who we were looking forward to gaining his experience, his nous and getting to know him.”
Everton have coped without him. They have reached the international break unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, with James Garner and Harrison Armstrong among those used in midfield.
Norgaard, meanwhile, has already had a taste of the Hill Dickinson from the other side. He played there for Arsenal last season and was impressed by how much of the Goodison atmosphere Everton had managed to take with them.
“I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere as an Everton player,” he said. “Goodison was amazing. I just remember the ground was shaking – literally shaking.
“Then we came to the new stadium last year, and I was so surprised because you often see clubs lose that intimacy and atmosphere. But I was so overwhelmed by how good the atmosphere was as well.”
His first experience of it in an Everton shirt has taken longer than anybody expected. Norgaard, at least, believes the wait is nearly over.
Read more about why Norgaard’s Everton debut has taken longer than expected.
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