Pienaar shrugs off rumours

Steven Pienaar has dismissed reports suggesting he may be on his way out of Everton as "speculation".

The South Africa midfielder has been in outstanding form for David Moyes' side this season, and German giants Bayern Munich were heavily linked with the player during the January transfer window. But the 27-year-old, whose contract at Goodison Park expires next summer, insists he is not going anywhere.

"I can't say anything because I wasn't approached," he told www.football365.co.za. "From my point of view, I'm an Everton player and I don't want stuff like that to distract me from what I'm doing. It is speculation."

He added: "When you play well, there will always be talk of interest from clubs, you can say something like that. I'm happy at Everton."

Pienaar - who has featured regularly for Everton this season, scoring three Barclays Premier League goals - is almost assured of his place in the Bafana Bafana team for this summer's World Cup in his homeland.

And he is happy with his fitness, insisting he is ready to be called upon at any time.

He added: "The good thing is I'm a regular at Everton, which means I will keep fit anyway.

"I have been working very hard since I returned from injury and I understand I have to be very fit. If not there is no way you can play in the English Premier League if you are not fit, because of the pace of the game.

"Basically, I will be fit when called upon by the national team," added Pienaar, who was on Tuesday banned from driving for 12 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving.