AS a self-confessed mummy’s boy, there were times earlier in his Goodison career when Leighton Baines would have been forgiven for retreating into the comforting bosom of his family.

But now the 24-year-old is showing everyone who the daddy is on the left side of Everton’s defence.

From wondering whether he had a future under David Moyes, Baines has cemented a first-team place, helped his team reach the FA Cup final and broken into the England squad.

It has been some turnaround. Having made a dream move from Wigan Athletic to his boyhood club for £6million move in August 2007, matters didn’t initially pan out as the player had intended.

Niggling injuries and the form of his team-mates meant Baines was unable to make a convincing case for regular inclusion during his first season at the club.

Those concerns lingered on in to the new campaign to the point where the left-back felt it necessary to air his frustrations to Goodison manager Moyes.

Testing times, for sure. Baines, though, could always count on the support of his relatives.

“I’m a local lad, from Kirkby, and come from a really close family,” he says. “I’m a bit of a mummy’s boy too, I have to admit, and she only lives down the road. I still spend a lot of time back there and even stay over the odd night.

"I really get looked after, my tea cooked and everything. My wife’s from the same area so she’ll stay at her folks and I’ll be at mine.