Player fitness doubts for Moyes

Everton boss David Moyes has fitness doubts over Phil Neville and Nuno Valente for the Barclays Premiership fixture at Middlesbrough.

Moyes is also waiting to see whether striker Andrew Johnson has recovered from a hamstring problem.

Neville damaged a hamstring while on England duty and Valente suffered a groin problem while he was away with Portugal.

Johnson missed the England double-header and it is hoped he will be fit to lead the attack at the Riverside.

Moyes also expects a problem of jet lag with midfielder Tim Cahill, who was due to arrive back from international duty in Australia at lunchtime today.

Tony Hibbert should return from an ankle problem while Gary Naysmith and Alessandro Pistone are both still long-term injury victims.

Provisional squad: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Valente, Arteta, Davies, Cahill, Osman, Carsley, Johnson, Beattie, McFadden, Weir, Van der Meyde, Stubbs, Wright, Anichebe.