MIDFIELDER Jack Rodwell is keen for Marouane Fellaini to commit his long-term future to Everton FC, because he believes the duo could forge an enduring partnership at the heart of the EFC engine room.

With Rodwell just 20 and Fellaini only 23, both players’ best years are ahead of them – and Rodwell is hopeful that the Belgian’s current contract talks will be successfully resolved.

“Fellaini did really well at the weekend and is a really good player,” explained the England under-21s star. “If that is a partnership that works and people like it, then maybe that can be the partnership for the season, but I know there are a lot of good central midfielders at the club so I am taking nothing for granted.”

Since breaking into the Everton side as a teenager, there has been much discussion as to the best way to utilise Rodwell’s talents.

Initially it was thought the defensive side of midfield play suited him best and, while admitting that role comes naturally to him, Rodwell prefers to operate as a more attacking midfielder.

“I am still developing as a player,” he added. “It seems a long time ago I made my debut and I do feel as though I have come on an awful lot as a player but I am still only 20 and hopefully I can continue learning and getting better.

“I probably play best as a central midfielder in a two or a three. I can sit and defend or I can get forward as well but I like to get box-to-box – you get forward then you get back.

“I like getting forward – as everyone does – but like I say, I can also play defensive midfield. I have played centre-half most of my life so it is not a problem.”