Everton FC News: MAROUANE FELLAINI is confident of handing Everton a boost by being fit for the start of next season.

Fellaini has been absent since undergoing ankle surgery following a clash with Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Anfield in February.

The initial diagnosis of at least six months on the sidelines meant it was unlikely the Belgium international would be available for the start of the new Premier League campaign, which kicks off on August 14.

Fellaini spent time in his homeland since his operation but is now having a rehabilitation period before the summer back at Everton’s Finch Farm training ground.

And the 22-year-old is convinced he can hand Goodison manager David Moyes a major fillip by being fully fit for the start of the season.

“I am much better now, I have been at training for two weeks,” said Fellaini. “The first and second months were difficult because I had my operation but now it is good.

“I hope to be ready for the start of next season. I will start back in July or August.”

However, Moyes is unlikely to rush back the Belgian having spent such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

It’s the second summer in succession that Fellaini will have had his pre-season preparations affected after suffering for weeks with the after-effects of a virus last year.

Injury meant the midfielder missed out on Everton’s New Year revival, with a run of just two defeats since December pushing the Goodison outfit into contention for European qualification until last weekend’s goalless draw at Stoke City.

“That is football,” said Fellaini.

“We did not have a good start to the season but I hope next season will be better and it will be possible.

“I don’t know if I was having a great season because I played only six months. I played well but it was not for all the season.”

Meanwhile, Steven Pienaar is already looking ahead to the new campaign after claiming the club’s player of the season award on Tuesday evening.

The South African’s future is still the subject of much speculation with the player soon to enter the final 12 months of his contract having not yet agreed a new deal.

But Pienaar, who is fighting to overcome an ankle problem ahead of Sunday’s season finale at home to Portsmouth, said: “I am enjoying Everton. It is a good atmosphere, a good team and good staff.

“For me my league is starting now for next season. Hopefully I can return for Portsmouth then go to the World Cup with my national team and then hopefully come back for the other games at Everton next season.

“I think from the end of last season I started to play really well and I continued that form with the national team before returning to Everton. It has been a really amazing year not only for me but also for the club even though we didn’t qualify for European football next season.”

John Heitinga is also hopeful of appearing at the weekend, despite missing the last three games due to a hairline fracture of his ankle suffered in the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

“I wasn’t happy when I was told I had to rest my injury because I want to play,” said the Dutchman. “I am hoping I can return for Sunday’s game with Portsmouth so we will have to see before the game.”