McFadden ready for first-team fight

[Toffee]

James McFadden has committed his future to Everton and vowed to give the club's expensive strikeforce a run for their money.
The Scottish international, who was in the last year of his contract, has put pen to paper on a three-year extension.

It ends months of confusion about his future and McFadden, 23, said: "It has been a long time coming and I am glad it is done now so I can concentrate on playing football and spending the next few years here at Goodison.

"I have stated from the beginning I wanted to stay, but when you are negotiating sometimes things don't go as smoothly as you like.

"But I am delighted to be signing for another three years."

Boss David Moyes has paid £14million for James Beattie and Andrew Johnson in the last 18 months, and McFadden believes he can challenge them for a striking role.

He added: "There is healthy competition but I don't think it is beyond me to get into the team and be playing every week, although I have quality players ahead of me the club has paid a lot of money for.

"But it is not unattainable and that is my target.

"I want to be seen as a striker but if I am called upon to play in midfield I will be happy to do so."

McFadden, who signed after returning from a Scotland 'bonding' session this week, has made 97 senior appearances for the club but 40 of those have been as a substitute.

His early appearances were as a wide midfield player, but it is as a striker that he has excelled for his country and he formed a promising partnership with Beattie in the second half of the campaign, scoring seven goals.

Moyes has confirmed he regards McFadden as one of his five contenders for a striking position alongside Beattie, Johnson, Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan.

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