PIENAAR REJECTS EVERTON'S FIRST OFFER

Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has confirmed he rejected the club's initial offer of a new contract.

Pienaar is still locked in talks with the Toffees and he admits that he does want to stay with the club - but is also keen to be playing Champions League football again.

"It is seldom that both parties come to an agreement at the first attempt," he is quoted by AFP as saying.

"Coming to such an important agreement takes time. We have only just started discussions and we will keep on talking until hopefully we get a deal that is right for both parties.

"The fact that it is taking time does not mean I am unhappy at Everton, but this next contract for me is obviously very important at this stage of my career.

"I would like to play Champions League football again and hopefully that will be with Everton."

Pienaar - who joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2007 - has two-years left on his current deal.

TOFFEES HOPE PIENAAR WILL STAY

Everton are still confident they will be able to tie midfielder Steven Pienaar to a new long-term contract.

The South Africa international, 27, has two years of his current deal to run but has been engaged in negotiations that will give him a pay rise and extended stay.

Everton are trying to secure all their top players on long-term deals, and club chairman Bill Kenwright has been handling the negotiations with Pienaar.

The initial offer has been rejected, but talks are set to continue.

A club source said: "Everyone is still talking, and we are confident there will be a happy outcome."

Pienaar is currently with the Everton squad in Salt Lake City, Utah, preparing for Wednesday's warm-up match against a Major League Soccer representative side.

Everton lost the first match of their tour of Canada and the US, going down 1-0 to River Plate in Edmonton.

The match saw teenager Jack Rodwell play his first pre-season match, having been given extra time off after appearing in the European Championships for England Under-21s.

Rodwell played in central midfield, despite suggestions that he would soon operate in central defence, with Phil Jagielka not expected back to fitness following his knee injury until November.

Rodwell said: "I am not sure where I will be playing this season. I started for the first team in midfield last season and played most of my games there, so maybe it will be the same again - I am not really sure.

"I have had a few days' training now and it has been hard getting back into it. It is about getting back to a good level of fitness and I managed to play the full 90 minutes.

"I was pleased to get my first game behind me and hope to play on Wednesday. The MLS have some really good players playing and it will be tough."