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EVERTON FC: MOYES' ARTETA HOPE

/noticias.info/ David Moyes is hopeful that Mikel Arteta will be able to play on Sunday.

Arteta has been struggling with a persistent groin problem that ruled him out of the game at Manchester City on Monday.

Moyes is naturally keen on recalling the Spaniard, but also recognises that the nature of the injury may well require rest at some point.

He told evertonfc.com: "I think there is a chance, I think he could play if we needed him to play. I am going to see how he is and hopefully get him back in the squad if we can do.

"If we can give him a chance to rest we will do, but he has played a lot of the season with the injury and it hasn't forced him to rest too much.

"I don't think it needs surgery. We have had it scanned, and there's no real damage there so at this present time - not that I am a doctor, but from what I'm being told by the medical team - there's no surgery required."

Arteta himself is desperate to feature in what is sure to be a dramatic run-in, but Moyes knows he has options should the midfield talisman need to be afforded a break.

"He wants to be involved and we want him involved," said the manager. "He's got through for a while so I can't see why he can't get through for the remaining eight or ten weeks.

"Other players have stepped up to the mark. We have had to do it in the past.

"Yes, he's important to us but if he's not available other people get opportunities and to be fair, they have been taking them."

Moyes' other concern comes in the form of a bout of illness affecting some squad members.

"There's a bit of sickness around the club," he confirmed. "Steven Pienaar came off sick (against Man City) and Joseph Yobo was sick as well and there's one or two others so I'm going to have to hope they all come through."

Everton: Howard, Wessels, Neville, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Valente, Baines, Osman, Carsley, Arteta, Pienaar, Fernandes, Cahill, Vaughan, Anichebe, Yakubu, Johnson. notas_de_prensa_archivo