'Very helpless' - Yerry Mina makes Everton injury admission amid transfer rumours

Everton defender Yerry Mina has admitted some of the injuries suffered last season were 'his fault' due to his desire to keep playing.

The Colombia international suffered a series of injuries last term and he made just 14 appearances in all competitions. He played less than 1,000 minutes of football across the campaign.

He featured in six of Everton's first seven league matches before he picked up a thigh problem in October. Mina returned for a brief spell over the winter period but then picked up a hamstring injury that limited his game time for the remainder of the season.

The defender told the Colombian version of AS (h/t Sport Witness ): "It was a difficult, frustrating and very helpless season because sometimes I wanted to show who I am and the talent I have, but I think some injuries were my fault because I always want to give my best and take my level to the top. Sometimes, I need rest and I don't stop, but I've already learned from that.

"The other injuries were from helping the team that was going through a difficult time. I told the manager: 'If I have to play with one foot, I'm going to do it' and there are the consequences. But I did it because I didn't want to have a decline in my career, I've already learned and now I'm working for what's to come."

Mina has since been linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer given he has entered the final year of his contract with Everton. Reports in recent weeks suggest there is interest from Italy and rumours indicate the club value him at £15m.

Frank Lampard is already looking to bolster his defensive options ahead of the new season, free agent James Tarkowski has been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside following Burnley's relegation.