Senderos eyes Everton stay

Senderos: Blue future

Philippe gives us a bit of Premier League experience and he is hungry as he wants to go to the World Cup with Switzerland

David Moyes on Senderos
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Everton's new signing Philippe Senderos has set his sights on securing a permanent deal at Goodison Park.

The 24-year-old defender has joined the Toffees on loan until the rest of the season after rotting on the sidelines at Arsenal.

Senderos, who is out of contract at the Emirates in the summer, has featured in just two Carling Cup games this season after failing to break back into the Gunners' backline following a season-long loan at AC Milan last year.

The Swiss international, who is desperate to secure his place at the World Cup this summer, aims to earn a long-term contract on Merseyside by rediscovering the form that brought him to prominence.

"I'm out of contract in the summer so going back to Arsenal I don't think is an option," said Senderos, who was linked with a switch to Everton last summer.

"But staying here for longer, why not? If things go well you never know."

Gunners gratitude

Senderos admits he found it difficult when he was sidelined by Arsene Wenger but stressed he did not have a problem with the Gunners boss and was just looking forward to playing again.

"He picked me from when I was an 18-year-old in Switzerland and I played over 100 games for Arsenal so I owe him a lot for the trust he put in me," he added.

"It has been tough but it is a situation you have to accept as a player.

"I try not to look back too much but it has not been easy as a football player as I was fit when I was at Arsenal but I didn't get my chance.

"I knew Everton were interested in the summer and I wanted to join them but it didn't go through.

"Hopefully I can get playing a few games in a row and get back to my level.

"It is definitely a very good move for me and I'm happy to be here and be able to prove myself.

"I know Everton have a great manager in David Moyes and I am really happy to be playing under him and hopefully he will help me develop as a player."

Low-risk signing

Moyes needs cover at the back as Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo, playing in the African Cup of Nations, has a hamstring problem, Phil Jagielka is still working his way back to fitness from a serious knee injury and Johnny Heitinga is ineligible for their Europa League campaign.

With Senderos available on loan it was a relatively easy decision for Moyes, who has limited finances available to him.

However, he did admit he had to weigh up whether it was a good move to sign a player who had spent so long out of contention at Arsenal.

"He has been out of favour at Arsenal and you have to wonder why but also you think, if he was playing in the first team you wouldn't get him in," said Moyes, who has named Senderos in the Everton squad for Wednesday's televised visit of Sunderland.

"Maybe if we had a big budget we would have signed someone who could have gone straight into the team but Philippe was as good as we were going to get in our situation.

"It is a bit of a low-risk move at the moment. If it came off I think it would be a terrific signing but if it doesn't we have taken in some cover and Philippe understands that.

"He comes here with a clean slate. Maybe he has something to prove so we could give him the opportunity to do that.

"Philippe gives us a bit of Premier League experience and he is hungry as he wants to go to the World Cup with Switzerland."