Season › 2013-14 › News

Oviedo: 'I've waited for this chance'

Costa Rican happy to deputise for injured Baines

Bryan Oviedo is looking to seize the opportunity to impress afforded him by the recent injury to Leighton Baines by building on his impressive display against Stoke on Saturday as Everton face back-to-back challenges at Manchester United and Arsenal.

With Baines virtually ever-present in the first team since Oviedo was signed by David Moyes from FC Copenhagen in August last year, the 23 year-old has had to bide his time for only his second Premier League start.

That came against Stoke City at the weekend, a game that will be one to remember for the Quesada-born player as he slammed home his first Everton goal and laid on the team's fourth for Romelu Lukaku. And, with all due deference to Baines, Oviedo is keen to make the most of his opportunity in the starting XI after waiting so long.

"I am very happy to have scored my first goal in the Premier League and also to play my first game at left-back," he told evertonfc.com.

"I'm also happy that the team played well today. This is a very good chance for me. Leighton is a great player but I have waited a year and a half for this chance and I am so happy to play again.

"I think the coming games are a good opportunity to play for the team and make the most of my chance.

"The team is a strong team and a good group. They are all good guys and good players."

Oviedo' sunny disposition and outlook is very much in keeping with his manager's which has contributed to a positive feeling in the Blues camp this season as they continue to keep pace with the pack chasing Champions League qualification.

The twin challenges at Old Trafford and The Emirates over the next week — fixtures that they failed to win at all in 11 years under David Moyes — will pose a stern test of Everton's resolve, though and Oviedo's defensive mettle will be thoroughly examined by both teams, more so than was the case against Stoke.

Manager Roberto Martinez is anxious to see his charges put right the club's poor record at the respective grounds, though.

“We've got two important games away from home and we're going to be tested to the maximum, but we're ready for these challenges," he said.

“We know that going to Old Trafford is going to be one of the hardest games of the campaign but, in the same manner, we know that if we want to be successful this season, we need to be able to go to places like that and be ourselves and hit the best possible level of performance."

 

---

---

---

About these ads