TURNER STARTS, DOUBTS ON
FIVE
David Moyes has confirmed Iain Turner will be given his first
Premiership start of the season in Saturday's Premiership clash
with Manchester United.
The Scotland Under-21 international only returned from a loan spell
at Sheffield Wednesday this week, but his performances during an
unbeaten 11 game run for The Owls have convinced the Goodison chief
to hand the keeper the opportunity to shine against United in place
of Tim Howard. That means no place in the starting line-up for
Richard Wright.
Moyes told evertonfc.com: "Iain Turner will play in goal. He is
coming back from Sheffield Wednesday and I think it is the right
choice at this moment in time.
"He is the future and we want to see what he can do. We are looking
to see if he can step up and support Tim Howard as well next year.
It is an opportunity for him.
Moyes does have a series of injury headaches for the game against
Manchester United, with all five of his senior strikers facing
fitness tests on Saturday morning before the manager decides on his
side for the game.
James Vaughan is pushing for a return to action after recovering
from a severed vein in his foot but he will have to be passed fit
by the medical staff before being given the green light to
play.
Victor Anichebe has been sidelined by an ankle injury, as has Andy
Johnson following last weekend's defeat against West Ham.
With James McFadden and James Beattie also carrying knocks, Moyes
has serious problems in his forward line for Saturday's game.
Moyes added: "We have got a doubt about Andy Johnson but we have a
doubtr over all our strikers. We have five strikers here and every
one of them needs a fitness test so I am hoping two will be
available.
"James McFadden went over on his ankle in training yesterday whilst
James Beattie has had three days off with a virus."
Andy van der Meyde is available again after recovering from the
illness that prevented him travelling to Upton Park.
Everton from: Turner, Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Lescott,
Naysmith, Valente, Osman, Arteta, Carsley, Fernandes, Neville,
Anderson de Silva, Vaughan, Anichebe, Johnson, Beattie, McFadden,
van der Meyde, Vidarsson.
