Li Tie back in China frame
(AP)
Updated: 2006-01-13 18:42

Everton's Chinese international midfielder Li Tie has been assured by his national team boss that his place remains secure after returning from a long injury layoff.

Everton's Chinese international midfielder Li Tie, seen here in April 2002, has been assured by his national team boss that his place remains secure after returning from a long injury layoff. [AFP]

Li has had limited first team opportunities for Everton since returning from 18 month on the sidelies after suffering a freak leg injury while on international duty in February 2004.

But the 28-year-old has played five times for his country and received assurances from national boss Zhu Guang Hu who watched Li play for a second string Everton side in a 1-1 draw with Bolton this week.

"Mr Zhu had a conversation with me before the match because he wanted to know about my situtation," Li told evertonfc.com.

"I do appreciate his trust in me and he has given me such tremendous opportunities to improve myself.

"My goal for 2006 is to find my way back into the team. Meanwhile I hope my name is still in the list of Chinese national team players because this is the biggest honour for all footballers."

Li said that he had not felt under pressure when playing on front of reserve boss Andy Holden, team manager David Moyes and his international boss.

"I didn't have that feeling. I knew David Moyes would be there just as he usually is, although I did feel a little different because my Chinese national team boss was there," explained Li.

"That is the first time he has seen me play in the reserve game and to have three managers there to watch does not happen very often.

"As a professional footballer you have to have the ability to concentrate on the match whatever is happening off the pitch so I just put everything out of my mind and then gave 100 percent to play the match.

"I think that may have been the best performance I have produced in the last couple of months. I am sharper than before with my tackle and I am passing the ball okay. I just wasn't happy with the goal we conceded," said Li.

"I was trying to clear the ball with my head but I failed. I think that goal was my fault that really made me upset."