Baines would welcome Pienaar

Steven Pienaar: Leighton Baines believes his team-mates would welcome the South African back

Everton defender Leighton Baines believes his team-mates would welcome Steven Pienaar back at Goodison Park.

The South Africa international left the Toffees for Tottenham in January as his contract with the Merseysiders was expiring in the summer.

Pienaar has made just five Premier League starts for Spurs under manager Harry Redknapp in nearly 11 months at White Hart Lane.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a return to Everton and left-back Baines says his colleagues would like to see a deal concluded.

Baines has praised the former Borussia Dortmund's work ethic, stating his commitment to the cause was never called into question.

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"Obviously if there is a chance for him to come back, we'd all love to have him back."
Baines on Pienaar Quotes of the week

"He was one of our best, if not our best player," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"Obviously if there is a chance for him to come back, we'd all love to have him back. He left so there might maybe be a bit of animosity.

"But when he was here, even up until his last day he worked hard and got his head down. No matter what, he would do the same wherever he goes. He's a worker.

"Top class in his quality and a grafter as well. It's what Everton's always been about, even the foreigners we've brought in have had an English mentality.

"Steven and Mikel (Arteta), at the best they've rolled their sleeves up and they can do the hard work as well."