Joseph Yobo is backing Everton teammate Yakubu Aiyegbeni to build on his recent scoring form.

He told evertonfc.com: "Yak is a fantastic player. It's been a bit difficult for him since he came here but it is always going to be that way when you come to a new club. You need time to settle in and I think he is starting to do that.

"We know he is going to score goals and lots of them. The goal he scored against Derby was typical of him. He's been disappointed because he hasn't scored a lot but I've been telling him that if he relaxes, the goals will come.

"He is a striker who thrives on confidence and hopefully the goal yesterday will give him that. I spoke to him a lot before he came here as he's my mate. I kept telling him what it is like and he knew what he was going to face when he signed.

"I told him it would take him a bit of time to adjust to the way we play. But Yak is a player who, if you give him a chance, will score plenty. He is going to score a lot of goals for us, I've no doubt about that. He's getting better and better all the time.

"He is my friend and I spoke to him a lot before he came here.

"I play with him in the national team and I know he can score goals. I am happy that he is scored and that will boost his confidence."