MIKEL ARTETA admits he has no idea when he will be back in action for Everton this season.

But the Spanish schemer has indicated he may be willing to play out the remainder of his career at Goodison.

Arteta has been sidelined since February when he suffered cruciate ligament damage just minutes in to the goalless draw at Newcastle United.

The 27-year-old had an operation in September to repair stitches in his cartilage as a consequence of the initial surgery, only for further complication to force Arteta to go under the knife once again earlier this month.

Everton manager David Moyes has already accepted the Spaniard will not return until the New Year, but Arteta is refusing to risk his long-term fitness by placing a date on his comeback.

“There have been a few problems, a few setbacks, it has been a hard period for me but sometimes you can avoid problems and sometimes you have to take it the way it comes,” he said.

“There was no explanation for the infection, they have had three cases like that in 35 years and the surgeon does thousands of operations a year.

“The surgeon and the medical staff at the club don’t want to talk about time, because there is no point. They only worry is to get my knee fixed properly and to get it fixed for the next seven or eight years of my career.

“That is my only aim. I want to be playing as soon as possible; but only as soon as my knee says I am ready to do it, because there is no point risking it.”

Arteta has been constantly linked with a move away from Everton with Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Real Zaragoza among the most interested parties for the former Barcelona youth player.