Keane to get more time on the pitch

Defender insists he didn’t stay with Blues to just sit on bench

- By CHRIS BEESLEY

MICHAEL Keane insists he’s not extended his stay at Everton just to sit on the bench.

And the defender says he's looking forward to an exciting new era at Hill Dickinson Stadium with the Blues squad planning to train at the 52,769-capacity venue before their first game with Roma.

Keane became a free agent this summer when the five-year deal he'd signed back in 2020 expired. But it was announced on July 4 that the centre-back, who has been with Everton since his £25million transfer from Burnley in 2017, had penned a new one-year contract.

The 32-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the Blues’ first preseason friendly on Tuesday night as David Moyes’ men drew 1-1 with Accrington Stanley and he maintained that getting on the pitch himself remains his priority.

Keane said: “I'm here to compete. I’m here to train well every day and if I get a chance to play, I want to do my best.

“I've not signed just to accept being third or fourth choice. I'm here to do my best and see what happens.

“Obviously those lads (Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski) have done really well and have played a lot of games together and got good results, so there’s a good probability I'll have to wait for my chance and have to be patient.

But when it comes, I have to make sure I'm ready, and take it.