Toffees stretched

Everton boss David Moyes has a skeleton squad as he prepares for tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester United at Goodison Park.

James Beattie and Tim Cahill are suspended, while long-term injured duo Steve Watson and Li Tie are also still out. Moyes also has doubts over Duncan Ferguson (back), James McFadden (thigh) and Leon Osman (knee) – but full-back Tony Hibbert returns after a one match suspension.

It means Mikel Arteta can expect his first start – while Everton’s other loan signing Guillaume Plessis will be on the bench along with teenage defender Anthony Gerrard.

Provisional squad: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir, Stubbs, Yobo, Pistone, Naysmith, Kilbane, Carsley, McFadden, Osman, Bent, Ferguson, Arteta, Plessis, Wright, Gerrard, Fox.