Having suffered a serious knee injury on the cusp of the new season, Muhamed Besic is showing the determination fans know him for as he fights back to full fitness.
![Looking Ahead](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/4834/208279/589d563b03dc1/Looking-Ahead.jpg)
Muhamed Basic can see light at the end of the tunnel after the most challenging period in his foot balling career.
On a warm August evening at Old Trafford, 10 days before the start of the new season and an occasion celebrating the achievements of Wayne Rooney, Basic suffered one of the most dreaded injuries in the game - a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Innocuously sustained - the norm with setbacks of this type - the midfielder’s 2016/17 campaign was effectively in ruins before it had even begun.
Almost six months have passed and Basic’s steely determination shines through in his first interview since damaging his right knee.
He is back training daily on the football pitches at USM Finch Farm and is talking about wanting to return to match action, an ambition of once again pulling on the royal blue of Everton before the season reaches its conclusion.
“I have needed to have a goal,” he explains. “But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t matter, because the most important thing is my knee. I will always push, but the medical staff will take care of me.”
Naturally, Basic is keen to look forward, intent on focusing on what lies ahead rather than dwell on half-a-year’s worth of frustration.
“I’m now at five-and-a-half months after my operation,” adds the Bosnian. “We are going from week to week to see how I am getting fit. But [this injury] always takes between six and eight months. I speak every day with the medical staff when we train and I am in communication with the coach.
“I had three or four months just in the gym - the first month I was just on a bed waiting to progress. Now I want to progress even more, to train with the team. I’m looking forward to it.
This story is from the February 2016-17 edition of Everton Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2016-17 edition of Everton Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Bringing The Right Chemistry](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/256912/5a422e8cbe9ee/crp_Bringing-The-Right-Chemistry.jpg)
Bringing The Right Chemistry
Soon after Sam Allardyce was confirmed as the new manager of Everton Football Club, his most trusted lieutenants followed him through the door at USM Finch Farm. In assistant manager Sammy Lee and first-team coach Craig Shakespeare, the Toffees boss has added two of the most highly-regarded coaches in football to his backroom team. Everton magazine sat down with the duo to discover how they will use their collective knowledge to boost the Blues
![Academy Success Continues](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/256912/5a42327cd8268/crp_Academy-Success-Continues.jpg)
Academy Success Continues
Everton’s proud list of Academy graduates expanded again recently, with several names added to the ever-growing board at USM Finch Farm.
![Changing Track](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/256912/5a42369820519/crp_Changing-Track.jpg)
Changing Track
“To be honest, I didn’t really get much sleep after the match. It was an amazing night that I will remember for the rest of my career… it was really, really special.”
![Setting New Goals](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/199128/58611be6f26ed/crp_Setting-New-Goals.jpg)
Setting New Goals
A Club legend due to his attacking exploits during his playing career, Duncan Ferguson is on the right path to make his name in coaching – and believes he is in the right place to do it.
![Scouse And Proud](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/199128/58611d87ab8ab/crp_Scouse-And-Proud.jpg)
Scouse And Proud
After a 2016 in which he took giant leaps, teenager Tom Davies seemingly has the footballing world at his feet. Primed to make a big impact in the years ahead, he says there is no place he would rather call home…
![Blue Girls](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/199128/58611ffe43247/crp_Blue-Girls.jpg)
Blue Girls
Two female Evertonians are making waves in their respective disciplines. Molly McCann – or Meatball to her friends – is a Mixed Martial Arts fighter with her sights set on the UFC while cricketer, Sophie Eccelstone, made her senior England debut aged just 17 earlier this year.
![Eitc's Armed Forces Recognition](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/252494/5a1e98892b137/crp_Eitcs-Armed-Forces-Recognition.jpg)
Eitc's Armed Forces Recognition
Eitc's Armed Forces Recognition
![Bolasie Will Return 'Hungry And Refreshed'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/252494/5a1e999753619/crp_Bolasie-Will-Return-Hungry-And-Refreshed.jpg)
Bolasie Will Return 'Hungry And Refreshed'
Bolasie Will Return 'Hungry And Refreshed'
![Improving Accessibility At Goodison](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/252494/5a1e9c6ee8fbf/crp_Improving-Accessibility-At-Goodison.jpg)
Improving Accessibility At Goodison
Improving Accessibility At Goodison
![Alan Kelly](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/4834/252494/5a1e9e6f11a4e/crp_Alan-Kelly.jpg)
Alan Kelly
New Everton goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly has had an eventful first few weeks in a role which has seen him once again follow in his father’s footsteps…