Jagielka hails Everton character

Jagielka's impressive form saw him called into the England squad

Everton's player of the year Phil Jagielka has praised the character of his side as they prepare for the FA Cup final with Chelsea on Saturday, 30 May.

The England defender, who will miss the final with a knee injury, won his latest personal accolade on Monday.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "With the size of the squad, having no strikers and not starting the season with many fit pros we've not had an ideal season.

"But it just proves what characters we've got around the team."

He continued: "We're desperate to do well for this club and it just seems to suit us.

"It's been a fantastic 12 months and it would've been nice to finish it off in style.

"It's remarkable the gaffer has been able to do it again. But hopefully the boys can do it for me.

"We've put a fantastic run together and we've guaranteed sixth and there is a chance of us finishing fifth. That is top of the next league so to speak if you take the big four away.

"The character that's in the squad and the club as a whole has shone through."

Meanwhile, Maraoune Fellaini picked up the Everton young player of the Season gong and Fara Williams collected the women's player of the season honour, while Dan Gosling's goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals won goal of the season.