Marouane Fellaini revelling in Jack Rodwell partnership at Everton

Belgium international Marouane Fellaini believes his midfield partnership with young England star Jack Rodwell is looking good for the future of the club.

The 23-year-old signed a new five-year contract yesterday after being convinced of the Toffees' ambition.

Fellaini and Rodwell have impressed at the heart of the team following Mikel Arteta's August departure to Arsenal and the Belgian believes it is a partnership which can grow.

"Ask the manager but I think if Jack Rodwell plays with me it is a good combination," he said.

"Everton have good young players - Jack Rodwell has just made his debut for the senior national team," he said.

"It is important to stay at a high level if you want to play with the national team."

Rodwell, who made his senior debut against Spain just under a week ago and earned his first start against Sweden on Tuesday, also believes the midfield partnership has great potential.

"It's great news (about Fellaini's contract)," he told evertontv.

"He's been a magnificent player for us over the last few years and this season he's stepped it up even more.

"We are playing quite well together, we're still learning a lot from each other and we're still not in tune fully.

"But that will come with more games and it is a partnership that is blossoming a bit."

Rodwell himself, is not allowing himself to get carried away by his first senior call-up despite being touted as the future of the national team.

"My club performances are what have got me into the England squad on merit in the first place so I have to keep reproducing that," he added.

"I need to work hard, keep focused, keep my feet on the ground and see what happens.

"It's vital for me at this age to be playing games and it's brilliant for me to be able to do that at Everton.

"I'm really progressing as a player and I feel really comfortable on the pitch. I'm getting more experience every game and it's good for me to do that at such a young age."

Now speculation about his contract is over Fellaini is keen to get back to the job of lifting Everton up the Barclays Premier League.

David Moyes' side have lost five of their last six league matches to slip to 17th in the table with Wolves, just a point above them, the visitors to Goodison Park tomorrow.

"I hope to keep going and win another tough game because at the moment we don't have a lot of points," he added.

"It is important to win the game. The players are together, they play together and fight together and that is important for Saturday.

"The players have a good mentality and the manager also."

Fellaini, who has one FA Cup final appearance to his name, insisted it was currently more important to improve their league position than be trying to win silverware.

"The important thing is to play for the top five, six or seven," he said.

"At the moment to win a trophy is difficult. We will try to go to Wembley in the FA Cup but we will see what will happen in the future."

PA