Everton Football Club News

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

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Pienaar edges closer to return

01 Oct 2008 - 16:28:07

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South Africa international Steven Pienaar is close to making his first Everton appearance of the season after travelling with the rest of David Moyes' squad to Belgium for the UEFA Cup first round second leg clash against Standard Liege.

The 26-year-old is unlikely to feature in Thursday's game as he battles back from the toe injury he suffered in the pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven in August.

However, he could play some part in Sunday's Premier League encounter with Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, Tim Howard sees no reason why the club cannot go a long way in the UEFA Cup, if they can get past Standard Liege, who drew 2-2 in the first leg at Goodison Park two weeks ago.

"They have two away goals but we now know what we have to do and our goals are going to count for more," the former Manchester United goalkeeper told the Toffees' official website. "I think we're right where we want to be.

"The mood is still positive, it has to be, although it's no secret that we haven't started the season the way we'd like to have done.

"It hasn't been up to our standards and everybody is trying to be part of the solution because if you aren't then you're part of the problem.

"We have to go and win one game. You can pick it apart and dissect it but, at the end of the day, we have to win one game against a side we know we can beat."