Antolin Alcaraz is optimistic that a positive end to an injury-plagued first year at Goodison Park will enable him to hit the ground running in pre-season.
Two separate setbacks restricted Alcaraz, signed on a free transfer last summer, to just seven appearances during 2013/14.
Such was his frustration, the Paraguay defender, 31, has described the injuries as making him feel like a ‘prisoner’ for most of the season.
However, he was able to shake off these fitness issues and take a place in the matchday squad for the final nine matches, leaving him excited at the prospect of reporting back for pre-season training at the start of July.
“On a personal level, it’s one [season] to put behind me,” Alcaraz told evertontv. “It’s one to forget almost as it’s been full of negatives on a personal level. But it’s gone now and it’s not worth looking back and feeling sorry for yourself.
“You have to look ahead, be positive and I’m looking forward to next season and hoping for better things.
“The frustration as a player is that an injury stops you doing what you most enjoy. It’s almost like it is taking your liberty away from you and you become a prisoner in your own situation.
“But there is nothing you can do about it and what I took solace in is that I was able to play a few games towards the end of the season and physically I came through those okay, and that is promising for next season.
“What I want more than anything is to make sure that I am 100 per cent fit, totally free from injuries and have the chance to do what I do. And basically what I do is play football, work hard and prepare.”
Alcaraz also targeted progression as a collective unit and is confident Roberto Martinez can build on an outstanding first term as Everton manager.
Indeed, the Paraguayan has his eyes fixed on winning a second trophy of his career in England.
He continued: “I’ve had a long career in football and at my stage the key is to want to improve every day and continue to feel like you want to get better.
“That doesn’t just mean I’m content with improvement – I want to win titles and win everything that I take part in. It was the same when I played in a World Cup – I wanted to win that if we could.
“I wanted to win trophies when I was playing in Paraguay and even when I was a kid playing with friends, I wanted to win that game even though there was nothing at stake.
“When you are a competitor and a professional sportsman it’s all about winning. Yes, I know we can’t win every time but the key is to give it your best on every occasion.”
