Chinese international Li Tie vowed in Haikou, south China, on Tuesday (Dec 28th) that he will fight for a first-team place in English premier league side Everton after recovering from a leg injury.

Li has been absent from manager David Moyes since sustaining the injury early this year when playing with the national team. He also missed China's second-place finishing Asia Cup campaign and humiliating World Cup qualifying tournament, where China was eliminated in the group stage.

Li was given a special green light to come home for a new year's holiday.

"I am now eighty percent fit and I believe I can get back to the first team after a few more reserve matches," said Li, who joined Everton in 2002. "And I am confident to win back my regular place."

But Li will find it hard to squeeze into the star-jammed Everton midfield since the club is enjoying its best spell in the English Premiership history. They are lying third in the table after Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Charlton Athletic, their only four defeat after 20 matches this season.

Li's contract with Everton expires in the summer of 2007 but he promised not to continue his playing career in China after that.

"I will absolutely not play at home in the next few years," he said.

Editor: Wing