Everton defender Joseph Yobo admits he owes his career to tonight's UEFA Cup opponents Standard Liege.

Yobo told evertonTV: "I enjoyed my time at Standard because they gave me an opportunity to come from Africa to be a professional footballer abroad. I had a really nice time and they really looked after me over there because I was only a young lad. I have great memories.

"It was a big step for me to take but I wanted to better myself and better my family as well. So, when the opportunity came, I had to take it. There were a lot of good footballers in Africa at the time so I had to take it. I'm very grateful to them.

"The fans were great to me and I'll be delighted to see them again. It will be emotional, especially when we play them in Belgium, because that's where it all started for me. But football is football and I'll be professional and will make sure I go there and get the job done."