Jagielka: Wayne Could End Career At Everton

Phil Jagielka claims Wayne Rooney is still an Everton supporter and may look to end his career back at Goodison Park.

Rooney is a product of the Toffees' academy system, but spent just two years in the senior ranks before completing a big-money move to Manchester United.

Everton supporters are reluctant to forgive one of their own for linking up with a local rival, but the club still holds a special place in Rooney's heart.

For that reason, current Toffees centre-half Jagielka feels his fellow England international may decide to explore the possibility of returning to Merseyside before hanging up his boots.

"Wayne still tries to support Everton as much as you can as someone still playing the game at a high level," said Jagielka.

"Definitely he's still a Blue and still has affection for the club, but he won't be doing us any favours (on Sunday).

"He gets a lot of stick from our fans, and it was bound to be a little bit difficult when he left - it's the way it goes when someone leaves the club: If they don't slag you off and hate you, then you've not done very well for the club.

"I tell Wayne the reason why the fans went so ballistic is they loved him and wanted him to be part of Everton folklore.

"It wasn't to be, and I don't know if he will end up back here. We'd obviously welcome him back, but he's done so much in his career and he's not going to come back and not perform at the heights he's done in his career.

"If he finished his career here he'd want to come back and make a difference, so the only way we could do that is to progress forward and get on his radar. It will be a tough one, it all depends on how his career pans out - he's only 27 and still got a long time at the top level."