Everton captain Seamus Coleman says the club must not lose it's family spirit.

Coleman is closing on a first team return after featuring for the U21s earlier this week.

"The club I signed for is a family club and it is something we can't lose," the veteran fullback told the Liverpool Echo.

"I think in modern day football it can be easy to lose, and it is so important we don't do that. There are so many people here who have been together for so long from all different departments and it is something we pride ourselves on and it is something for me, who has been here for so long, I take pride in making sure we don't do that."

Coleman also said: “My life is this club and my family, that's the two things I have going on in my life and it is not two bad things to have. Family first, this club second and I give it my all and am proud to come in every day. The last couple of years have been tough but this is where I want to be when I am not home with my family."