Everton youngster Jack Rodwell hopes to face Sunderland this week - after making his Premiership debut last season against the Black Cats.

He told evertonfc.com: "It was my Premier League debut last season. It's brilliant to make a debut in any competition.

"It will bring back good memories. When I came on I was scared. I wasn't used to that kind of atmosphere. Hopefully we'll get the win because we need it more than anything.

"They are a big club, they have a good fanbase, a good stadium and a decent side as well, so they're a team that I'd like to see stay up, but not at our expense!"

Since his debut, Rodwell has blossomed into a player who regularly gets an outing for David Moyes' first team.

And the academy graduate thinks he will only get better with time.

"It's a squad game now for all teams in the league. You need to have good players in every position of the squad. But I've come in and I feel like I've been doing well and getting better with time and experience.

"Hopefully there will be more games to come and I'll keep getting better and better."