Everton defender Leighton Baines has admitted that he is at a loss to explain the club's poor form this season.

The Toffees are nine points above the Premier League's relegation zone, and have won just three of their last 14 games in the division.

Baines said that he could not fully explain why the team who finished fifth last term are struggling so much, but the England left-back refused to use players returning back late from last summer's World Cup as an excuse.

He told Sky Sports News: "It's been disappointing and we're not happy with way things have gone. We haven't quite put our finger on it and we haven't put it right, despite back to back wins.

"All we can do is build on that and finish as best as we can. We're not the only club who have players coming back [late from the World Cup].

"A lot of other clubs have that situation as well, and we've had injuries more so than the past and that has an effect. Maybe they're reasons, maybe they're excuses, but we've got to put that right."

Roberto Martinez's men host Southampton on Saturday.