Strac Thanks Departed Donovan

Striker says American helped him rediscover his goalscoring touch.

Denis Stracqualursi admits he was sorry to see Landon Donovan go after striking up a bond with the American loanee.

Donovan's two-month spell with the Blues came to an end last weekend and the forward has now headed home for pre-season training with LA Galaxy.

Stracqualursi benefitted from two assists from the US international during his brief time on Merseyside, the first - against Fulham last month - helping him break his Everton goalscoring duck.

"Landon is not only a great player, but a great person," he told evertontv. "Since he's come in, he's helped me a lot and I think very highly of him."

Liverpool's involvement in the League Cup final means Everton have no game this weekend.

The derby at Anfield was originally pencilled in for this coming Saturday but the Blues' next outing will now be at QPR on 3 March.

Having strung together a seven-match unbeaten run, Stracqualursi believes it may well have been a good time to face our city neighbours.

With Nikica Jelavic, Jack Rodwell, Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman and Victor Anichebe all sidelined, however, the striker concedes some rest and recovery time could be of benefit.

"It's a bad thing in one way but, in another, it could also be a good thing," he said. "It gives the players who are injured time to recover and it gives the players a bit of time off, a bit of a recovery.

"But the next game we play, we need to make sure we're ready and that we put the same effort in and keep the run going."