Versatile Vernon Ready To Answer Call

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Versatile Vurnon Anita is ready to answer Alan Pardew's SOS call for Everton and play at right-back against the Toffees.

Danny Simpson is ruled out of Monday night's trip to Goodison Park while James Perch remains a doubt after injury sidelined him for Newcastle's last game, the 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa.

Holland international Anita was pressed into action as a full-back when Simpson limped off against the Villans and he played there on several occasions for his former club Ajax before making a summer move to Tyneside.

And he has no qualms about slotting in there again if required for the televised clash against David Moyes' men, who have won two of their opening three games this season.

"We've got two injuries on that side so if the manager needs me on that side I'll do my best for the team," he told nufc.co.uk this week.

"It went well against Aston Villa. As a right-back you can come forward a lot, so I did that also and yes, I think it was a good performance.

"Central midfield is my position so the main focus is on the midfield - but if the manager needs me on the right side I can also play there."

Historically, Everton are notorious slow starters but have emerged quickly from the traps this season and beat Manchester United in their opening fixture.

Marouane Fellaini battered the Red Devils into submission before scoring the only goal of the game and Anita said: "I saw the highlights and they were very aggressive. They played very well so we must be prepared.

"I know two players that play there. I played with Steven Pienaar at Ajax - he was there when I made my debut - and Johnny Heitinga, also from Ajax and the national team. They are very good players so I know they have a good team and a very strong team.

"It's a good opponent to play against and we're playing away so we must be prepared."

Anita was named in the provisional squad for Holland's World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Hungary but missed out on Louis van Gaal's final selection, meaning he has trained in Newcastle this week.

That's given him a chance to reflect on the draw with Villa - and he has called for a repeat of that second half showing on Merseyside. 

"Sometimes the international breaks are good but many players are away and they must play games, so it's very tough for them with so many games," he said. "But you must be prepared to stand there and play well.

"In the second half against Aston Villa, we played much better than the first half. We worked hard and we scored a goal so we must take that spirit into the next game and do that from the start.

"The great supporters, they keep cheering for us and that's a great spirit which is good for us."

Click here to buy a Newcastle United shirt with Anita's name and number on the back