Everton striker Arouna Kone has admitted that having the full support of manager Roberto Martinez has helped him in his recovery from long-term injury.
The Ivorian will make his first appearance since damaging knee ligaments last November in the Toffees' Europa League clash with FC Krasnodar on Thursday.
Kone has revealed that Martinez kept him positive and motivated during his year on the sidelines, and he hopes to repay him with a good second half of the season.
"It is very important for a player to have his manager's support and fans when he was not playing," he told reporters.
"We were doing so well last season and it was very frustrating as I wanted to be a part of it. Now I'm fully fit and almost ready, now I'm focused on having a good second half of the season.
"I never feared that my career at Everton was over because of the support of the manager and the fans and it gave me an extra incentive to work harder."
The 31-year-old has only started once for the Merseysiders since joining from Wigan Athletic in 2013.
Joe Fish
