Radzinski faces sticky reception at Goodison

TOMASZ RADZINSKI could face a tasty reception today when he makes his return to Everton following his acrimonious summer move to Fulham.

The two Premiership clubs clash at Goodison Park, with Everton striving to strengthen their grip on third spot and Fulham needing to further distance themselves from the bottom group.

But Canada Radzinski may well find himself on the wrong end of abuse from his former fans after the way his move was completed. Radzinski attacked boss David Moyes's style of management, claimed Everton would struggle this term and insisted Wayne Rooney should leave the club.

All this took place while the transfer negotiations were still to be completed and Rooney was still at the club, and Radzinski's departure left a nasty taste in the mouth on Merseyside.

Everton coach Alan Irvine reports it could be an uncomfortable return for Radzinski.

"I do not know what sort of reception Tomasz will get from the fans. Some will look forward to seeing him back, and others will give him a hard time," he said.

"He's a good player and a threat. Tomasz is one of their players you would be concerned about playing against, because he has blistering pace."

Radzinski has visited the Everton squad and management since his departure, and peace appears to have broken out. Radzinski returns, saying he is surprised by Everton's performances this season.

He said: "It is an amazing turnaround for them. They didn't have the best of summers, with all the things that were going on, but it looks like everybody's pulling together and they're playing really good football."

"They gave me the opportunity to come and play in England, and from the very first day the fans were fantastic with me," he said. "They are a team who are hard to beat and they've been grinding out a lot of 1-0 wins. I hope Everton do well this season, but not in this game."

There is a fair bit of history between the clubs over recent seasons following on-field incidents, one of which ended in a full-scale brawl and an FA charge. Irvine said: "There always seems to be something in games with Fulham - somehow there is an under-current when we play them, which is surprising because on paper it does not like the sort of game to produce problems.

Everton will have defenders Joseph Yobo and Gary Naysmith back in their squad although Moyes is unlikely to change things after the 1-0 win at Birmingham last weekend.

Yobo has overcome a succession of minor injuries while Naysmith missed Scotland's midweek game to play in Everton's reserves and test out a calf problem. The club's international stars Tim Cahill, Thomas Gravesen, James McFadden and Kevin Kilbane have all returned fit from midweek action.