Everton fans are pushing for England to cap their Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta.

The 26-year-old has been a regular Player of the Year winner since signing from Rangers in 2005.

But he has not earned a single Spanish cap and with his native country winning Euro 2008, romping away with their World Cup group and players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Marcos Senna and David Silva at their disposal, a call-up looks unlikely.

So the Goodison Park faithful have taken matters into their own hands and started a petition on evertonbanter.co.uk to persuade England to pick their favourite playmaker in January 2010 when he becomes eligible under the residency rule.

An Everton spokesman said: "This campaign was started by one supporter who believes that if Spain don't want Mikel then we in England do.

"So far this fan has been joined by more than a hundred other supporters and the campaign list is growing by the day."