LEIGHTON BAINES has revealed his relief at finally being able to help stop Everton’s slide.

The left-back has watched on helplessly in the past few weeks as a calf injury has kept him on the sidelines.

During that time Everton’s winless ruin has extended to six games, although Baines did return for the encouraging 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Goodison Park on Saturday.

And he says he isn’t the only one who feels frustrated at not being involved as Everton struggle to compensate for the loss of virtually a full team through injury or suspension.

"I think that is how a lot of the lads feel," said Baines. "Myself and Ossie, for example, have both picked up injuries at a similar time and we have both been frustrated throughout the week.

"Watching the lads struggle a bit is tough but it’s good to be back and have things in your own hands.

"I’ve not missed much so I felt okay and I came through the game okay. The game was there for us to win, Tim (Howard) has probably made one save all game so we are disappointed not to win.

"I think we are evenly matched but Villa will go home the happier."

The straight red card Diniyar Bilyaletdinov received in the draw with Villa means he is added to the list of absentees for the next three Barclays Premier League games.

Baines added: "We are going to miss him, we can’t really afford suspensions with so many players injured but he will be back for the derby which is a big game and I am sure we will need him.

"I didn’t see much of the sending off incident. I’d been caught myself in the build-up to it and we maybe should have had a free kick for that, with that happening I didn’t really see it.

"I don’t think I’ve ever come across such a long injury list, and with serious injuries to important players, like Jags (Phil Jagielka) and Mikel (Arteta)."