South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar will remain at Everton this season, according to the club’s assistant manager Steve Round (8/1 Everton – Top-4 Finish).

The player has been linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer with Tottenham understood to be considering a potential swap deal involving striker Peter Crouch.

Round has dismissed the rumours that he could be moving to White Hart Lane and insisted Pienaar will be an important part of the Toffees squad this season.

He said: “The manager (David Moyes) has said all along he wants Steven to stay.

“He is under contract and as far as we are concerned he will be an Everton player this season.”

“There is no truth in the speculation. Steven has been a terrific player for us and is a terrific asset,” he added.

The 28-year-old has one year left on his current deal and Everton will be hoping that the player will extend his contract or risk losing him next season for free.

Everton (16/1 – FA Cup) have had a slow start to the Premier League season and have picked up one point from a possible six in their opening two fixtures.

Moyes will be hoping the likes of Pienaar will help the club collect more points in their upcoming fixtures as they once again push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.