Bryan Oviedo has told Everton’s official website that he is going to fight to keep his place in the first team after working so hard to get in Roberto Martinez’s side.
A mixture of some great play by Leighton Baines and some really significant injuries led to the Costa Rican spending a lot of time on the sidelines but has been a regular in the side post-Christmas.
Both Baines and youngster Brendan Galloway are looking to take Oviedo’s place, but he says he won’t give it up without a fight.
At the moment, I am playing and I hope to continue to do so.
I want to help the team win the next games. We need to focus on Aston Villa. Every player who features in that game needs to give their maximum effort – that is the most important thing for us.
We are in the top league in the world and if you are in one of these teams then you know you have very good competition for places. I think we have some of the best left-backs in the league.
Every one of us needs to work hard in training and in the games to help the team. Whoever plays needs to give all they can give.”
After breaking leg in the FA Cup tie against Stevenage in January 2014, Oviedo has battled back to get fit and admitted that the injury, plus the subsequent problems that he suffered on his path to get back did take a mental toll on him, but he says that is no longer an issue and he is ready to help the side have a good end to the campaign.
Sometimes it is not easy.
When you have been out for a long time or you have setbacks, it is hard to come back and fight for your place.
Mentally you can be a little scared and you have to face that kind of thing when you come back.
But, for me, the most important thing is to try to help the team. I am playing in the side now and I am so happy to be involved. At the moment I feel very, very good.
