Monday 20 March 2017 13:01, UK
Everton manager Ronald Koeman has no concerns over Romelu Lukaku's attitude despite the continued uncertainty over his contract situation.
Lukaku, whose deal ends in two years, became the Premier League's leading goalscorer with 21 goals after scoring twice in the 4-0 win over Hull City on Saturday.
The Belgian has not agreed to a new long-term offer from Everton made last week that would have made him the best-paid player in the club's history.
"Everybody knows he is a professional and he will do everything for the club until his contract is ended and nobody knows what will happen in the future," Koeman said.
"We like to keep our best players because we need them to make the next step."
Lukaku had questioned whether Everton shared his ambition to challenge for major honours, and the club are currently seventh in the table, level on points with sixth-placed Arsenal, who have two games in hand.
Everton travel to fourth-placed Liverpool when the league resumes after the international break, followed by a visit to fifth-placed Manchester United, and Koeman knows the importance of both games.
"We have the opportunity now to come closer to the teams above us but we play Liverpool away and Man United away but still we have the chance to make the next step and be closer to the teams above in the table," he said.
Everton last won the league in 1987, and the club's last major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup.
Sky customers can now upgrade to Sky Sports and get 12 months for just £18 per month. Upgrade now!
