Jordan Pickford speaks on Sunderland return as Everton star in attendance for Newcastle clash

Jordan Pickford said he “feels really good” when asked to sum up his season so far with Everton.

The goalkeeper was asked about the Blues campaign at the Stadium of Light, where he visited on Saturday to watch former club Sunderland take on Newcastle United in the FA Cup. The 29-year-old was also asked about his time with England.

He described his current feeling as “mint” and added: “I feel really good. At Everton we are doing really well, we have had a points deduction but we have found some form and been picking up results. With England it has always been good, we have just got to keep working hard, keep improving to be the best.”

Everton supporters write to Howard Webb in search for answers over VAR and other big decisions

Jarrad Branthwaite slams red card amid growing Everton concern happening 'every game'

Pickford was in attendance for the Tyne and Wear derby, where he will watch former Everton teammate Anthony Gordon line up against the club he supports. The clash comes with Everton having already enjoyed third round action, drawing at Crystal Palace on Thursday.

That match was the first Pickford had missed all season as his understudy Joao Virginia was given an opportunity to impress. Asked how he would feel before the game, which he described as “massive for the whole of the North East”, the Everton and England number one said: “I will probably have hairs on the back of my neck, it has been a while since I have been here and I just can’t wait for the pre-match song to come out and the whole crowd getting on it.”

Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 and is due to spend at least a decade on Merseyside after signing a contract extension earlier this year that is due to take him to the summer of 2027.