Wednesday 15 November 2017 16:00, UK
Oumar Niasse insists he bears no grudge against his former manager Ronald Koeman and admits he "felt sorry" for the Dutchman after his departure from Everton.
Niasse was dropped by Koeman before the start of the 2016-17 campaign and was subsequently sent out on loan to Hull in January after being told he had no future at the club.
However, after impressing while on loan at the KCOM Stadium, the Senegal striker was brought back into the fold this season as Koeman looked to arrest Everton's dramatic slide down the table.
The 27-year-old opened his account for the club against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup on September 20 and three days later scored twice to help the Toffees come from behind to beat Bournemouth.
He added to his personal tally during the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal last month - a result which ultimately cost Koeman his job - and Niasse admits he felt sorry for him despite his treatment last season.
"I feel sorry for him, what happened to him when the club got rid of him," said Niasse, who went on to thank Koeman for resurrecting his Everton career.
"Honestly, they were ready to let me go. I was ready also to go because I knew that it would be a difficult season if I stayed here but at the end I didn't go.
"I said thank you to him because he could have said 'no, you are staying with the U23s' but when I came back he brought me back to the team.
"That has allowed me to be here today."
Since Koeman's departure, caretaker-manager David Unsworth has guided Everton up to 15th in the Premier League and the Toffees will be looking to put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Niasse came close to joining the Eagles on Deadline Day before a move to Selhurst Park fell through at the last minute.
"It was a difficult day, that night when I went there, to have everything about to sign," said Niasse. "Just one hour before the window closed I didn't sign. They know why, I know why, I'm not going to go deep on that.
"I'm feeling thankful and happy to go back to Everton. Now it is a different challenge, we are in a not good position.
"They are worse but it is going to be a difficult game."
