Everton defender Michael Keane says he feels stronger this season.

Apart from a three-week spell out with a head injury, he's played regularly as the pillar of Marco Silva's defence.

"I'm fitter this year - nothing that has kept me out for a long time," he told the Daily Mail. "The training has been hard so I feel sharper and starting the season well has given me the platform to improve. For a centre-half it is all about consistency and I am still quite young for the position.

"As a manager, Marco is very good tactically. We are very clear about the gameplan and what our roles are. I think as long as you know what you are supposed to be doing, you can have a clear mind.

"Defending corners is a collective thing for the whole team, not just the defence. I don't think there will be a team in the league that has spent longer on set plays than us.

"Someone told me a stat that we are top of the league or near the top for first contact. It was the second balls we'd been conceding from but thankfully we've managed to sort it out lately and long may that continue."