MIKEL ARTETA has set his sights on lining up for Everton FC's belated start to their Premier League campaign after making his comeback from injury.

Arteta emerged unscathed after playing more than an hour of the 1-1 draw against Bohemians in last night's hastily-arranged friendly in Dublin.

The Spaniard had been absent since suffering an injury in the defeat to Philadelphia Union in the United States last month, with the player fearing he had broken his foot.

But the damage was not as serious, and now Arteta is eyeing a starting role for the visit of Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

“I nearly broke my foot in a tackle,” said the Spanish schemer. “We thought the bone was broken, but thankfully it wasn’t in the end although it took a couple of weeks to find out due to the swelling.

“I couldn’t train but hopefully now I can get my fitness back and start the season properly.

“I will tell you how far I am off full fitness after the game on Saturday. You never know, it will obviously be very different in front of your own crowd at your own stadium and there is the adrenaline of a Premier League football game.

“The tempo will be different.”

Of his injury, Arteta added: “It was not ideal because pre-season you want to take part in every session, and play all the games to get in the best condition possible for the start, but it’s not been the case.

“I’ve been working really hard in the last 10 days and we’ll see how I do in game.”