KEANE'S THRILLED BY

MICHAEL KEANE admits that last summer he thought his Everton career was over.

- BY CHRIS BEESLEY

The centre-back signed by Carlo Ancelotti for £25million from Burnley really believed his five years at Everton was up.

But with Jarrad Branthwaite (right) out for the entire season so far with a hamstring injury, Keane, 32, has stepped up to become arguably David Moyes' most consistent performer. Keane, who started his football journey at tomorrow night's hosts Manchester United, said: "I thought there was a really good chance that I wasn't coming back.

"I was looking at options, so were Everton.