James Beattie wants to prove his worth at Everton.

The striker admitted to evertonfc.com: "It was a bad season for me.

"I won't skirt away from that fact. It's the first season ever that I have not got into double figures.

"It was very disappointing. But who is going to look backwards? You have got to look forward and remain positive. I have never doubted my own ability and I have never lost faith in myself.

"I can't lose my own self- belief because that would just be an absolute disaster. But that hasn't happened and it won't happen."

With the big kick-off less than three weeks away, Beattie is relishing the opportunity to play a key role in David Moyes' side and help the Blues build on last season's success.

"The season starts afresh. I have now got to look forward to what will hopefully be a great season and one where we have got UEFA Cup football on our agenda," he said.

"The best thing about football is that if you do something wrong, you can put it right the next week. You want to do better all the time."