Midfielder Alex Nyarko has hit back at critics suggesting he is keen for a quick return to the Continent just months after his ?4.5 million move from Lens. There have been some reports in recent weeks that French First Division side Marseille were interested in taking the 27-year-old back across the Channel after an mixed start to his Premiership career.

But the Blues star, who returned to the starting line-up for yesterday's defeat at Manchester City, insists he is committed to the Goodison cause but knows there is room improvement.

"I did not find it easy at first because of how the club was doing at the time," said the Ghanaian international. "But it is getting better. I am enjoying my football, but I had a bad spell when I was very sick.

"I felt bad before the game against Liverpool, but because it was a derby I was desperate to play. I managed to make it back for the Bradford game but then I was very bad and was forced to stay away from my colleagues for a week.

"It was during this time that the stories about me going to Marseille came out, but I didn't know anything about them. I do not want the fans thinking I want to go.

"That was the only reason I was out. Not this rubbish about Marseille or anything else like that. I want to show Everton fans what I can do."

Meanwhile, Alex, who will miss the trip to Charlton in a fortnight after picking up his fifth caution of the campaign at Manchester City, will be leaving England later today.