Steven Pienaar delighted with return to Everton

Steven Pienaar has not ruled out the possibility of his loan spell at former club Everton becoming permanent - but he first wants to get rid of his frustration at not playing.

The South Africa international, who left Goodison Park for London a year ago, has made just seven appearances this season, with only two of those as a substitute in the Barclays Premier League.

With Tottenham flying high in the title race, the 29-year-old has found it difficult to break into the side and so a return to Everton offers him the chance to pick up where he left off last January.

"I feel great to be back. I just want to play football and this is a great opportunity to come back and play," he said.

"It was a bad start with the groin injury when I joined (Spurs) and I had an operation in the summer and that slowed things down a bit.

"Of course if you get injured then when you get back fit and the team is playing really well you just have to wait for your chance.

"Hopefully everything is behind me, I have been fit for the last two months so that is a good thing.

"I was waiting and eventually had to make a decision. I want to play football and am not getting any younger.

"I had a word with the manager (Harry Redknapp) and we came to an agreement that I could go.

"You never know what will happen in football, things change every day.

"If I have a good few months we will see what happens in the summer but let me focus on the first few months and get playing and then see what happens in the summer."

Pienaar was a key figure in David Moyes' side first time around but knows he will have to win over both the manager and the fans, having turned down a new contract to stay at Everton a year ago.

However, he remained on good terms with many of the players while in London and hopes that will help him settle back in quickly.

"I have been speaking to the players a lot and when the manager gave me a call on Tuesday it made things much easier," said Pienaar.

"Like all the other players I have to come and fight for my place.

"I know it is not going to be easy, the team has had two good wins so I will have to come and fight and show I deserve a place.

"You could say there is pressure because people will expect the same stuff but maybe I'll have a Landon Donovan effect (who returned to the club for a second loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy) and do even better than last time."

PA