Everton are still hopeful Leighton Baines will sign a new contract with Carlo Ancelotti saying: 'We love him'.
Baines is out of contract next week and his cameo against Norwich City this evening, when he came on for the final three minutes, sparked fears it was a farewell appearance.
But Ancelotti says the Blues are still waiting to hear back from the 35-year-old on their offer of a 12 month deal and the Italian says everyone at Goodison wants him to sign a new contract.
Asked if Baines' introduction from the bench was going to be his last ever Everton appearance, Ancelotti said: “I hope not, I think the situation of Leighton is clear.
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“Everyone of us, the club, myself, the team-mates want Leighton to stay for another season and we are waiting for his answer and I hope that it will be yes.
“He loves Everton, we love him and so I hope so, I hope that he can stay.”
Ancelotti, meanwhile, has confirmed that the club will release a statement regarding the futures of Oumar Niasse and Cuco Martina, whose contracts also expire on June 30.
He said: “I'm not focused there. I think they are going to do an announcement tomorrow.”
