Moyes ready for tough task

DAVID MOYES says he is facing one of the toughest tasks of his career as Everton hover dangerously over the Premiership relegation zone.

The club's 3-3 draw at Southampton on Saturday leaves them without a win in nine matches this year and only three points off the drop zone.

Their next match is at home to in-form Aston Villa this weekend, with Moyes insisting:

"This is a test I am going to stand up to. Apart from when I first joined Preston, and the position I found myself in when I first came to Everton, this is a position I am not used to. It is something I am treating as a challenge for me. We know what we are capable of and we are all in it together."

Moyes is encouraged by the fact that the current Everton team is staffed by the same men who fared so well for the club last season.

"Other than Nigel Martyn and Kevin Kilbane, who have come in and performed really well this season, it is the same group of players who finished seventh last season," he said.

The Everton boss has made it clear too his troubles with striker Duncan Ferguson are over. Moyes made his fellow Scot captain at Southampton, with Alan Stubbs injured - and Ferguson may well retain the armband on Saturday.

Stubbs is still struggling with a groin injury, while Ferguson is expected to recover from a slight back problem he suffered at St Mary's.

"Of the people available, he was the most suitable for the role of captain. He led the team very well on Saturday," Moyes explained.

David Weir is back in full training after being sidelined since early last month with knee damage similar to that which kept him out before Christmas.

"He has had four weeks of tough rehab and done extremely well," said Everton physiotherapist Mick Rathbone.