Birmingham 2-2 Everton: The Daily Mirror match report

Phil Jagielka says an England World Cup call-up would take him to heaven from hell in a matter of months.

Everton centre-back Jagielka, 27, made his second start at St Andrews since damaging cruciate ligaments in his left knee against Manchester City last April.

His injury meant the stopper missed last season’s FA Cup final after converting the penalty which took Everton back to Wembley.

Jagielka, signed from Sheffield United in July 2007 for £4million, was also held at knife-point as a gang robbed his luxury mansion in September.

The star’s agony has hampered his England hopes after winning his third full cap against Ukraine at the beginning of last April.

But Jagielka hasn’t booked his summer holiday yet and believes his ’annus horribilis’ could still have a happy ending with a trip to South Africa.

Jagielka said: “I even got burgled in 2009 as well!

“It was an interesting year but I got married which was the only highlight.

“My wife Emily has had to deal with sulky Phil being moody and the kids Mya and Zak so my hat goes off to them more than anyone else.

“My family and my mum and dad are very pleased to see me back playing.

“When I had the operation I thought it would be six to eight months so I would have half a sniff of the World Cup but it was ten months.

“I would love to have a plane ticket over to South Africa but realistically it may have been a couple of months too late for me to comeback.

“I can’t expect to be in the squad but I will work with the physios and fitness coaches at Everton and see how I get on.

“I might get ten games until the end of the season and if that is good enough it will be brilliant, if not I will put my England shirt on in the summer and support the boys.

“So I will have an England shirt on one way or another - either supporting or hopefully playing.

“But I have been out for a long, long time so I would never wish anyone else an injury or get excited when someone does get injured.”

Jagielka looked commanding early on at Brum as Everton cruised 2-0 up inside 22 minutes.

Victor Anichebe blasted in on 19 minutes before Yakubu’s header from close-range after Steven Pienaar’s lobbed pass.

But Cameron Jerome gave Birmingham a lifeline when he swivelled to turn in Keith Fahey’s centre in the 26th minute.

And Craig Gardner completed a route-one move just after the break to level with a fine left-foot shot.

Everton are ninth after just one defeat in five games in the Premier League following victories over Chelsea and Manchester United at home.

David Moyes’ side are benefiting from return of other long-term absentees like Yakubu, Anichebe and brilliant playmaker Mikel Arteta.

Jagielka added: “Four of the lads who started at Birmingham - me, Yak, Victor and Mikel - were out for eight, nine or ten months.

“The squad was looking a bit thin and we lost Joleon Lescott at a crucial time.

“We did start the season slowly and maybe realistically we were never really going to be pushing for the European places.

“But the boys have had some fantastic results which has catapulted us back up the league and put those sort of ideas back in people’s heads.”

Everton will have to do without US star Landon Donovan,28, though in their run-in.

The American striker, who came off the bench at Brum, is returning to LA Galaxy after arriving at Goodison in January on loan.

Donovan said: “Overall I am very pleased with how it went.

“But it was always the case I was going to go back on March 15.

“Everton have made it clear they wanted me to stay but I have to respect my team in LA.

“I am the captain there and it would send the wrong message not to go back.

“I am a member of the Galaxy and I have signed a new deal there.

“But my guess would be if I ever comeback to the Premier League it would be to this club.”