Everton midfielder Stephen Pienaar is backing his former Ajax buddy Johnny Heitinga to prove his value at Goodison Park.

"I'd say his best position is at centre-back, but when you come from Ajax you can play in a number of positions," Pienaar told evertonTV.

"As long as he plays he will always give 100%, that's the way he is and the way they brought him up at Ajax. For us it's a big blow to lose Phil and the leadership and inspiration that he gives players, but unfortunately these things happen in football and we just have to move on."