Moyes to hand ‘Billy’ Toffees debut

EVERTON manager David Moyes will give his new £10 million (€11.2m) Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov his full debut tonight and is hoping a squad depleted by injuries and suspension can cope with life in the Europa League.

Bilyaletdinov, already known around Goodison Park much more simply as ‘Billy’, will be plunged into his first full match for his new club at home to AEK Athens in Everton’s opening Group I match (kick-off 8.05pm).

But Moyes will be without captain Phil Neville, out for three months with suspected knee ligament damage, suspended full-back Tony Hibbert and ineligible new defender John Heitinga. Playmaker Mikel Arteta now faces a further six weeks of treatment after a setback in his recovery from a knee operation, while Victor Anichebe is still a long-term injury problem.

Meanwhile, Roy Hodgson last night denied Fulham are neglecting the Europa League by making wholesale changes for tonight’s Group E clash with CSKA Sofia (kick-off 6pm).

Only goalkeeper David Stockdale and defender and John Pantsil survive from the starting line-up that defeated Everton 2-1 on Sunday.

Fulham have been robbed of front line players such as Danny Murphy and Clint Dempsey through injury, but Hodgson has also opted to rest the likes of Andy Johnson and Brede Hangeland.

We’re not neglecting the tournament. When Aston Villa and Tottenham fielded what they thought were weaker sides there was virtually no one from their first team squad involved,” he said. “I fully believe the team I put out will be very competitive. Only one player – Stockdale – has not played international football.

“All other 10 have played for their countries so we’re not talking about an inexperienced team lacking in ability.

“We’re very happy to be in this competition. We’re looking forward to it, it’s a great adventure, but it’s an adventure for the squad not just 11.”

Elsewhere, Celtic manager Tony Mowbray fears the extra Europa League officials will try to justify UEFA’s experiment by interfering unnecessarily in their clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv (kick-off 6pm).

Belgian officials Johan Verbist and Peter Vervecken will take up positions behind either goal at the Bloomfield stadium to assist referee Paul Allaerts, as part of UEFA’s experiment to help the man in the middle deal with contentious goalmouth incidents.

“Let’s hope we don’t realise the extra assistants are there,” the Celtic boss said. “I’d like to think the referee will make the decisions, not the guys behind the goal. But I think it is a pertinent question, there is a danger that sometimes they might feel as if they need to get involved, get their flag up and make the referee aware of something. I just want to see how it works, to be fair.”