The 20-year-old midfielder has been touted as a future star since first breaking into David Moyes' Everton side three years ago.

After England's dismal exit from the World Cup last summer, he was even identified in some quarters as one of the players Fabio Capello must turn to during an overhaul of his side.

Yet at that point Rodwell had done nothing more than show glimpses of his dynamic talent.

A number of encouraging performances during the 2009-10 season had apparently catapulted him into the £20million price bracket and seen him linked with Manchester United.

He was a player Everton were determined to hang onto at all costs - and they tied him to a new five-year contract - but some opinions of him were revised during a quiet last campaign.

An ankle injury limited him to only a handful of appearances before December and other niggly problems restricted him further during the second half of the season.

Amid that, he was unable to find a consistent level of performance and it was even suggested the cash-strapped Toffees could cash in over the summer.

Given Moyes' oft-stated admiration of him, that always seemed unlikely, but after some pundits openly queried whether he was worth all the hype, there appeared little interest anyway.

He now wants to put his injury problems behind him and work hard to prove his worth at Goodison Park.

"It is a massive season for me," Rodwell told Everton TV. "I have got to establish myself.

"I am no longer a kid any more, I want to be a regular."

Even when fit, Rodwell has a battle to claim a place in Everton's central midfield.

Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini are essential components and the form of Leon Osman in the second half of last season has put him well ahead in the pecking order.

The departure of Steven Pienaar may have reduced the competition but Moyes sometimes opts for the defensive stability that the versatile likes of John Heitinga or captain Phil Neville can provide.

Rodwell was a member of the England Under-21 side which failed to impress at the European Championship in Denmark over the summer.

He intends to use the disappointment of that experience as a spur for the forthcoming campaign.

He said: "It was disappointing how it finished in the end but it is all experience for us young players.

"We will take the experiences we can from it.

"I had a few weeks off and went on a couple of holidays here and there but after the three weeks I was just itching to get back in with the lads. I was raring to go."

The club are also yearning for Rodwell to make the step up from player with potential to consistent performer.

Everton's lack of funds has been apparent by their failure to make any notable cash signings over the past two years.

After another quiet summer in the transfer market, a big season from one of their home-grown players would provide a huge fillip.

Neville said: "We expect big things from him and he expects big things from himself.

"I think when you come to a club and you are 16, 17, 18, you talk about potential.

"I think he is now 20, 21 and it is now time to deliver. He knows that. He is a good lad who works hard."