LEON OSMAN has been hailed as an integral reason for Everton’s strong finish to the season.

The diminutive midfielder picked up yet another man-of-the-match award when scoring in the 2-0 Premier League win over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.

It was Osman’s third goal in the seven-match unbeaten run that has seen David Moyes’s side propel themselves from the fringes of the relegation zone to challenging neighbours Liverpool for a top-six berth.

And with the 29-year-old having also supplied a clutch of assists, his efforts are hugely appreciated by his team-mates.

“Osman has been playing really well, especially in the last few weeks,” said John Heitinga.

“He has scored some important goals – against Newcastle and Aston Villa in particular – and his assist for Beckford’s goal at Wolves was really good.

“He is a very important player for the team and I think he knows his team-mates appreciate him.

“Hopefully he can carry his good form on until the end of the season.”

With 17 points from the last 21 available, Everton remain top of the form league and retain an outside chance of European qualification.

And Heitinga added: “We are playing really well at the moment.

“We have had some good results and we are feeling positive.

“There is still a chance we could qualify for Europe and we will try our hardest.

“We know it is going to be hard but the way we are playing anything is possible.”