PHIL NEVILLE reckons Louis Saha’s influential presence is helping his Everton team-mates finally reach their potential.

The French striker, who has scored three times in his last two games, was the only one of manager David Moyes’s summer signings with Premier League experience when he joined from Manchester United.

And although he was unable to play initially as he recovered from the long term injury problems that disrupted his United career, Neville insists the dressing room was excited at the prospect of his addition to the squad.

Saha has started to prove his worth on the field with the winner against former club Fulham followed by a late double in the 3-1 victory at West Ham on Saturday, which made it 10 points out of the last 12 available.

And the Everton captain feels his former Old Trafford team-mate is starting to return to the kind of fitness that will propel him back to his explosive best.

Neville said: “Louis is now at a club where he is a slightly bigger fish in a slightly smaller pond.

“And our younger players are looking up to him and he is thriving on that opportunity.

“When Louis first signed, everyone was unsure due to his injury record – but we were certain of his ability.

“He is getting fitter, he has not missed a training session and is looking good. The more he trains, the fitter he will get.

“But if he is on the pitch, you have a chance of winning a game because he can produce something out of nothing.”

Everton’s victory on Saturday was achieved without top scorer Yakubu, who is enduring a barren spell in front of goal following his prolific start to the campaign.

He missed the visit to Upton Park with a heel injury, but Neville is confident that the pair can form a dangerous partnership when both are fully fit.