He's Back. Who Is? The Yak Is

Yak put in his best performance since his injury against Villa. David Moyes agreed.

Moyesy says: Yak is definitely showing signs of getting back. The injury was a nine-month injury, but it might take another nine months to get back to the level that you were at.

With a ruptured Achilles you have to try and get the elasticity back into it and that doesn't just come at the end of the nine months.That comes with games and jumping and twisting and turning, but I can see bits of sharpness coming. I've got to say he's doing well. I'm pleased that his recovery is going in the right direction and he is looking more like the old Yak." (01/11/09)

The Baz & Yak Show

The Yak made a beeline for Baz Rathbone when he scored in his 1st start since recovering from his serious achilles injury. It was a special embrace from Yak to the man who had helped him back to fitness. The goal after 11 minutes paved the way for a 4-0 win over Hull to progress to the last 16 of the Carling cup.

Steve Round says: “Yak came over to thank Mick, who has worked incredibly hard with him day in and day out for the last nine months. Mick’s been there throughout his surgery and that was a really good thing for Yak to do and the right thing to do. The two of them have struck up a relationship and have made it back together, so to speak. It was like a bit of a marriage at times, but Yak showed his respect to Mick by the way he came over and said ‘thanks very much’.”

It’s tremendous to have Yakubu back. He’s a 20-goal a season striker. He’s had a horrific injury, he’s had nine months out and I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to come back it’s been a long road for him. The whole team as well as himself are delighted for him to start as well as score a goal. He’s certainly going to be a big asset for us over the next few weeks and months. We want him to train ahead of Saturday’s game against Portsmouth, so we took him off as a precaution. He wanted to go back out but we wouldn’t let him.”

Ossie says: "Baz and The Yak are a pair of characters." (26/09/09)

Ready And Able

The Yak has been in full training during the international break and could be in line for a call up to the 1st team squad against Fulham.

Yak says: “It’s good to be back involved again as nine months out was just too long. I just want to play and entertain again and with a few more games I’m sure I will be fine. It’s been frustrating being out – really, it’s been hell watching from the stands and on television. Now I just want to play injury-free for a long time. We’ll just have to see how everything goes. Mentally I feel sharp and I know that the players are behind me. I have my confidence and I am going to work hard in training.” (11/09/09)

No Rushing Back The Yak

Although The Yak has scored for the Rezzies and played 15 minutes in Europe, Moyesy is not rushing the talisman striker back to the premier league. The same goes for Arteta.

Moyesy says: "Yak's been out for nine months and he will have to get a lot of training and a lot of football under his belt before we feel he's ready to start Premier League matches again. He played 45 minutes for the reserves again this week but felt his hip and his back tighten up so we had to take him off. We have to understand that he has been out for a long time." (05/09/09)

A Busy Few Days

Its been a busy few days for The Yak. After making his long awaited comeback and scoring for the Rezzies last night, The Yak is part of the travelling party that has this morning flown out to Czech Republic for the second leg of our Europa Cup knockout tie. The Yak himself is delighted with his return to action, and he is targeting a quick return to first team football.

The Yak says: "A goal like that can give me a lot of confidence. I’ve been out for almost a year and that is too long not to score goals. Hopefully there is more to come. The players have been so good to me and they have always been behind me; I was just looking forward to the first game and I’m so pleased to get 70 minutes.

It’s all looking good. There were some low moments and I was just praying that I would get back to this level. There were no setbacks and now I want to continue doing my job. I will continue working hard in training and doing the right things; it will be up to the manager to decide when I’m ready to return or not but I feel in good condition." (26/08/09)

The Yak Attack is Back

Its been nearly nine months, nope not a pregnancy, but since The Yak last donned the Royal Blue. He has missed our amazing FA Cup run, two Wembley appearances, our run to fifth in the Premiership, and our piss poor start to this season. But tomorrow over at Widnes, The Yak will turn out for the Rezzies as they take on Burnley's second string. When he is fit, he has to push past Jo and King Louis for a starting place. Superb, quality up front. It will get better, believe me. (24/08/09)

Moyesy Has Made Me Stronger

The Yak has joined in training with the 1st team squad in the USA and can't wait to get back scoring goals again.

Yak says: "The manager has helped me alot. He's a good manager. He's taught me to be strong as a player which is very important. Every year the side is getting better. We are getting stronger as a unit and we are building. I have never scored below ten, so I want to score more; I want to score as many as I can - over 20." (29/07/09)

The Smile Is Back

The smile is back on The Yak's face. The Everton centre forward was a surprise inclusion in the first team squad which has travelled to the North America for a training camp. He has joined in training with the first team squad. Evertonians everywhere will be watching to see if he plays any part in the games with an eye on the first game of the season against Arsenal.

Steve Round says: “It was the first day he’s trained with the team – not fully, he’s done bits and bobs with the team, but it's great to see him out on the field and it’s given everybody a lift for sure. When you’ve been out that long with a serious injury, it’s great to get back on the field with the lads. We saw a big smile on his face today.” (23/07/09)