VICTOR ANICHEBE insists he expects more from himself next season – as he vowed to come back stronger and fitter than ever.

The 24-year-old striker has enjoyed a strong second half of the current campaign, with five goals in just 13 appearances since January, but still regrets not being able to find the consistency he craves.

Nigerian international Anichebe has mostly been deployed on the flanks by David Moyes this term, and although he admits he will play anywhere for the Blues, he believes he is most suited to a striking role next season.

He said: “Considering the amount of appearances I’ve actually made it’s a good (goal) return, but hopefully next year I will be playing more games and playing from the start while staying injury free.

“I expect more from myself. I need to apply that next year and be better. Someone was telling me about my goals to games ratio and it’s nice to know but I don’t want to look too much into it. I’d prefer to play more games and more minutes. Hopefully when I’m fitter and stronger I can do that from the start.

“I see myself as a forward. I don’t if it’s a number nine or behind that, or just drifting but I’ve had experience of playing all these now. As long as I am helping the team I can’t really complain.

“Going on I see myself as playing up front.”

Anichebe, who is likely to miss the final game of the season against Newcastle on Sunday, is a silver Olympic medallist after he made his Nigerian bow during the 2008 Beijing games, and he admits he is excited about this summer’s games in London.

“It was amazing,” said the 11-cap forward. “I don’t think the whole experience has really sunk in yet – even four years later. Maybe I’ll appreciate it more when I’m older.

“The most memorable thing was getting to the Olympic village and seeing Usain Bolt and Andy Murray walking around. Then there was the Argentinean team with Messi, Sergio Aguero and Javier Mascherano.

“They won it in the end and you can see why. Just being round them was great, and it was nice being around top athletes from lots of different sports not just football.”

But the academy graduate is more focused on helping Everton make a strong start to 2012/13. He said: “There’s lots of optimism for next season.

“The way we’ve finished on a good high, the players that have come in have made a big difference, and hopefully we can bring it into next season this time.”