WESTERVELD SET FOR EVERTON DEBUT
On-loan goalkeeper Sander Westerveld will make his debut for
Everton at Newcastle United on Saturday.
The former Liverpool keeper has joined on a 28-day deal from
Portsmouth because Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright are injured and
Iain Turner is suspended.
Phil Neville, Tony Hibbert and Duncan Ferguson are also banned
while Nigeria defender Joseph Yobo returns to the squad after the
African Nations Cup.
Westerveld, who will become only the 14th man to play for both
Everton and Liverpool since the war, has fallen out of favour at
Fratton Park and played just seven first-team games this
campaign.
The Dutchman said: I havent been playing much and I had a
difficult time at Portsmouth.
This is an opportunity for me and I am hoping to help the team.
And I hope they help me and it will all be very positive.
When you are with a team at the bottom there is pressure and
everything is very difficult. So it is good to step out of that
into an environment that is a lot more positive.
I had an opportunity to go on loan to Championship clubs, and I
didnt like that situation. For me this is perfect with a
Premiership club who are doing well at the moment."
Westerveld added: I have a lot of friends around Liverpool, I
enjoyed my time at Anfield and it is good to be back in the
city.
I have had a few interesting derby matches against Everton - I was
sent off once - but this new move is something I am looking forward
to.
Everton, who are unbeaten in seven league games and in a much
healthier position than before Christmas, are beginning to look
towards Europe rather than the relegation battle.
And manager David Moyes said: The league table makes better
reading than it did a few months ago, but I aim to get us into the
top 10 and stay there.
We are going to need to win most of our last 12 to get us into a
position to even compare with last season.
We want to keep this run going, and the way we have been playing I
believe we can do it.
I havent been re-assessing targets just because we have been
doing well. The season has been so up and down for us, we have gone
five games without a win and then won several.
We are finding it difficult to really understand where we are, but
we are certainly happier with our current form and position.
We have 12 games to go, and if we can maintain this level of
consistency we will end up in a very decent position."
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer will be given until the last minute
to prove his fitness ahead of the St James' Park clash.
The 35-year-old has missed the last two games with a calf problem
and remains a major doubt, while Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble
(both hamstring) are definitely out and could be for up to three
weeks.
Full-back Celestine Babayaro returns after suspension, but Michael
Owen (foot), Stephen Carr (hernia) and Steven Taylor (shoulder)
remain on the casualty list.
Caretaker boss Glenn Roeder revealed he is only looking at three
points against Everton as speculation over the identity of the next
Newcastle United manager increases.
The clubs Academy manager, promoted by Graeme Souness sacking
earlier this month, has managed three wins and a draw in his four
games in charge to date.
As he prepared his players for a vital game, big money was being
wagered on fans favourite Martin ONeill, while Wigan Athletic
boss Paul Jewell sought to distance himself from the vacant
post.
However, Freddy Shepherd is expected to take his time to make an
appointment, and that could mean the wait will continue for some
time yet.
In the meantime, Roeder will simply get on with a job he admits he
is enjoying, although he does not know for how long.
Its a case of after the first game, just get the second game
organised and get through the second game, and then the third, then
the fourth, he said.
As far as Im concerned, my remit is to get the team organised and
motivated and hopefully, we go and win the game on Saturday against
Everton.
What happens next week for the club and for me, who knows? I
havent looked any further than Everton.
Asked if his success to date had changed his mind about seeking the
job on a permanent basis, he replied: I dont see why theres any
reason to change my mind. Im just concentrating on winning the
next game.
It (the speculation) doesnt make anything more difficult for me.
Im not surprised these names are being bandied around because they
are top-class managers.
But it doesnt make one iota of difference to me whatsoever. As a
player, I was very calm, and now as a manager or coach, Im a very
calm person.
All I have got to concentrate on now, myself and the boys, is
getting a result against Everton. There isnt anything else worth
thinking about as far as Newcastle is concerned.
Roeder's assistant Shearer freely admits he much prefers playing to
occupying the seat he has in the dug-out for the last two games,
but Roeder is convinced that is where he will eventually end
up.
Hes looking the part and waiting to be the part, which Im sure
hes going to be, he said.
Being around him every day, I can see no reasons why he cant
become a top manager as and when he moves on to the management
side.
I certainly agree with his decision not to push himself forward
too soon - that could be a big mistake, but again because of his
intelligence, he knows that.
I think he will go away, gain experience and bring himself forward
at the right time.
He will know when that is, just as he knows when its the right
time to break into the box and score a goal.
Newcastle United (from): Given, Harper, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott,
Babayaro, Parker, Emre, Solano, NZogbia, Bowyer, Clark, Brittain,
Pattison, Shearer, Ameobi, Luque, Chopra.
Everton (from): Westerveld, Yobo, Weir, Stubbs, Ferrari, Nuno
Valente, Arteta, Cahill, Davies, Osman, Kilbane, Naysmith, Carsley,
McFadden, Beattie, Ruddy, Anichebe.
