Everton Football Club

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42440

Baines urges key pair to sign up

28 Jul 2010 - 09:35:36

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Everton defender Leighton Baines has urged Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta to commit to the club with new contracts.

The Toffees' star midfield pair have both been linked with moves away from Goodison Park this summer.

Arteta is wanted back in his native Spain by Sevilla, while South Africa World Cup star Pienaar has been locked in protracted contract negotiations for months.

England left-back Baines is one of several first-team players to have signed a new deal this summer and he is now hoping that his midfield colleagues follow suit.

"They will definitely know we all want them to stay," he said.

"They are among our better players and a key part of what we are looking to do.

"We want to keep our better players to give us the best chance of success.

"Hopefully they will stick with us. I don't know what their thoughts are - they are personal matters - but we are all hoping, like the fans, they stay with us."