REVITALISED winger Andy van der Meyde has declared that he is finally back enjoying his football again and can’t wait to play his part in leading Everton into the last eight of the FA Cup.

The former Dutch international has endured a number of setbacks both on and off the field following his £2million move from Internazionale in 2005.

Injuries and a combination of well-documented disciplinary problems have restricted the ex-Ajax man to just 24 games for the Goodison Park outfit and he failed to make a first team appearance for 20 months between April 2007-December 2008.

However, after returning against Sunday’s FA Cup opponents Aston Villa for Everton’s 3-2 defeat earlier this season and making impressive cameo substitute appearances against Liverpool and Bolton last week – dramatically setting up the winner for Dan Gosling in the former – van der Meyde reveals that he has got a smile back on his face.

He said: “It’s been good. “I’ve really enjoyed playing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a run of games so I liked it.

“I feel happy and feel like a kid because I missed football so long.

“I was not involved sometimes and sometimes I was injured but now I’m getting more time to get on the pitch and that’s the best feeling you can get as a player.”

Manager David Moyes has a series of selection issues to ponder for the visit of Martin O’Neill’s side on Sunday.

On-loan striker Jo, who marked an impressive debut against Bolton with two goals is cup-tied, Tim Cahill has just returned from a longhaul trip to Yokohama where he helped Australia to a 0-0 draw with Japan and Everton are also sweating on the fitness of Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha.

However, van der Meyde is likely to have to make do with a place on the bench again although he feels he can contribute an increasing number of minutes if called upon.

He said: “The manager said I played well (against Liverpool) and I’ve had a little bit longer (against Bolton) – I came in for 15 minutes – so that was good and I can show a little bit more than if I had less time to play.”