Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori made his first appearance in a year as he ran out for Everton U23s on Monday night following a long injury layoff after knee surgery, and he has set his sights firmly on getting back into the first team.
Looking further ahead, good performances for Everton in the Premier League run in could see him force himself into the Argentina squad in time for the World Cup. He currently has 19 caps for the 'Albiceleste'.
"I've been training good these past weeks," he told Everton's club website. "Even though I wasn't playing for the first team, I've been playing for the Under-23s to get the rhythm, get the tempo. I'm 100 percent fit to play and I'm ready for Saturday."
He has indeed been called up to the Argentine squad for upcoming friendlies, despite his lack of first team action, and this can only give him confidence.
"I'm very satisfied that the manager (Jorge Sampaoli) has called me even though I haven't played for the first team," Funes Mori added. "But I'm fit, I'm ready to play. I'm feeling good hopefully I get my chance and go on from there."