Manuel Fernandes is ready to pull on an Everton shirt again against Wigan on Sunday.

The midfielder returned to Goodison Park last week on loan from Valencia, but his international clearance did not arrive in time for the Portuguese star to play against Manchester City on Saturday.

He said: "I am really happy to be back. I was sad when I left in the summer but the most important thing now is that I am here and I want to help the team.

"I heard stories at that time that I wanted to leave but that is not true. If that was the case I would not have come back now.

"It was difficult with a club and a group owning me, that was the difficult part in the negotiations but the important thing now is that I am back.

"Knowing the people and knowing the club played a big part in my decision to come here again. I believe that this is the best team for me.

"I hope we can consolidate fourth place. It will be difficult to get up to third but we want to stay as high as possible."