EVERTON FC’S World Cup star Johnny Heitinga is ready to hit the heights next season – after feeling the benefits of a ‘proper’ rest this summer.

The Dutch international, part of the Holland squad which reached the World Cup final last July, was back in action with EFC barely 10 days after his season ended on such a low point after being red-carded in the South African showpiece won by Spain.

But this summer Heitinga has reported back refreshed and raring to go.

In action in the early hours of this morning in Everton’s pre-season friendly against Philadelphia Union, Heitinga explained: “Last year was quite hard because I came back on the second of August but this time I can do the pre-season with my teammates and that is good for me and good for the team.

“I had a longer holiday and as a football player after a long season you need a break and last year I only had ten days off. This year I've had four weeks off so it's good for me.”

The versatile former Ajax man is with the rest of the Everton squad in Philadelphia and is looking forward to getting plenty of action in games against Philadelphia Union and DC United.

And he insists the word ‘friendly' means nothing to him once out on the pitch.

“I am looking forward to the games,” he said. “If we play a game, I always want to win. It doesn't matter if it's a friendly, a league match or a cup match, a club game or an international game.”