23.04.2010
No Everton exit for Pienaar promises Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes is confident South Africa star Steven Pienaar, seen here in March 2010, will stick with the Toffees despite the winger being linked with a move away from Goodison Park.
Pienaar has been in fine form for the English Premier League side this season and this has led to suggestions he could leave Liverpool-based Everton for a new club after appearing on home soil at the World Cup.
But Moyes, asked if Everton and Pienaar could agree a new deal before the World Cup gets underway in June, told reporters here on Friday: "Yes. The talks have been ongoing for a long time. I hope we will, I am sure we will.
"Steven Pienaar has found somewhere that suits him. The supporters like him. He did well at Ajax then went to Dortmund, it didn't happen for him.
"We brought him here on loan when he was a bit down and gave him that platform. I think he has found a good home."
Meanwhile Moyes also paid tribute to Australia midfielder Tim Cahill, who is set to make his 200th start for Everton this weekend.
The former Millwall man has become a key source of goals for Everton and scored the late winner in the side's 3-2 win away to Blackburn last time out.
"We will soon have the Tim Cahill channel here as we keep talking about him," Moyes said. "He deserves it considering how well he has done.
"He was a good player at Millwall, a lot of people looked at him. He has blossomed and become a very good and strong Premier League player."
Everton face Europa League semi-finalists Fulham on Sunday amd Moyes admitted his team have it all to do if they are to play in European competition next season.
The Toffees are five points behind seventh-placed local rivals Liverpool with only a maximum of nine points on offer in their final three league games this term.
"The final games are really important for us. We have a small percentage of a chance we could make Europe," Moyes said.
"What we have to do is try and hang in there. The players will be going into the games with a lot of confidence. They want to finish in good form.
"It would take real big fall by Liverpool and a great effort by us. We will keep chasing it. We are quite a few points behind with a few games to go but we still have a chance."
Source: © 2010 AFP - Paul Ellis
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