Moyes happy with congestion in the fast lane

Everton manager David Moyes claims his side will have to overcome one of the toughest schedules in their history if they are to win the UEFA Cup.

The Toffees should complete their passage into the UEFA Cup last 16 tonight when they face Brann Bergen at Goodison Park in the second-leg of their last-32 tie.

Everton hold a 2-0 advantage from the first meeting in Norway last week and could set up a meeting with Italian outfit Fiorentina, who lead Rosenborg 1-0 from their first leg, in the next round.

However, Moyes is also keen to qualify for the Champions League with a fourth-place finish and wants his side to carry their form to the end of the season.

If Everton were to reach the UEFA final at Manchester City’s Eastlands stadium on May 14 they would have to complete a 59-game campaign.

As things stand this would currently leave them with 20 matches to play in the Barclays Premier League and in Europe this season.

“It will be tough to go for both, the UEFA Cup and Champions League qualification,” Moyes said.

“I know it is a tough schedule with so many games. It is hard for an English club to win the UEFA Cup under the current framework.

“And I know the programme we have got ahead of us but I really hope that we end up playing nearly 60 games this season, and then 60 next season, because that means we will have been successful.

“But the top managers speak highly of Europe and getting squads right, and that is what we want.”

Moyes continued: “We are virgin-like really at this level and we are enjoying the competition. It is 15 games to win this tournament, we realise.

“But if that is what it takes, so be it. And I hope it is the same next season. That will tell us we are going in the right direction.

“We are aware it will be a long haul, we have played seven games in Europe already and in most competitions that would put you near the final.

“There is a long way to go but I want to keep having these conversations about full programmes, that is what we want.

“I know what it is going to take, but we will be going for it, we want to move this club forward.”

Everton are set to have Mikel Arteta available after he recovered from a groin strain and the 25-year-old could be returned to the starting line-up against the Norwegian champions.

And fellow midfielder Tim Cahill admitted despite the potential for fixture congestion he is keen to go as far as possible in European competition this season.

“The UEFA Cup is special for me and the players because it takes us to a higher level in the game and that is what we all want,” Cahill said.

“Now we are on the verge of the last 16 and we want to be able to pit our wits against the best.

“Against Brann we will play it cool, concentrate on finishing the job and we cannot allow ourselves to slip because this competition is too important to everyone.

“We are maybe underrated by other teams because of our lack of experience but we have learned quickly.

“The UEFA Cup means everything to us, we would obviously want to be in the Champions League soon but for us this European campaign has broadened us and made us better.

“It all means so much. We want to be successful, to give something back to our fans and to the club. It is where you want to be as a footballer and as a club.”