Moyes has high hopes for Yakubu-McFadden pairing

Sep 30 2007

Everton manager David Moyes believes new pairing James McFadden and Ayegbeni Yakubu can form an effective strike partnership in the Barclays Premier League clash against Middlesbrough.

With Andrew Johnson struggling to recover from a groin strain, the pair are expected to play together for the first time in the league after combining to great effect in the Carling Cup in midweek.

Yakubu laid on the first of McFadden’s second-half brace against Sheffield Wednesday before scoring late on to seal a 3-0 win at Hillsborough.

Moyes opted to leave Johnson on the bench against the Owls, and even if he is fit for Sunday’s Goodison Park clash, he may chose to leave the out-of-form England striker out of the firing line once more.

Moyes also has Victor Anichebe available and the Blues boss has indicated he will rotate his attacking options in a bid to keep his strikers fresh, with McFadden and Yakubu set to start against Boro.

“I think they could form a good partnership,” said Moyes.

“There’s a lot of options for us to play up there and we have to juggle the strikers to get the best out of them.

“We’ve got lots of games to play and we’ll see how we’re going to get the goals.

“We’ve got four strikers here and they’re not going to play all the games. It’s good that I’ve got competition for places because if people don’t play well then I can do something about it.

“We’ve big games coming up and we need people who can score goals.”

McFadden started one league game before Yakubu arrived last month for a club record fee of £11.25milion from Boro.

But Moyes knows what to expect from the skillful striker, whose midweek double followed up two wonder goals for Scotland this season and a late equaliser on his previous league start against Blackburn.

“He scored a few weeks ago as well, so he’s another one who’s been in and around the side,” said Moyes.

“The four strikers are all in and around it, so they’re getting playing time and they’re getting opportunities.”

As both scored in midweek, Moyes now hopes McFadden and Yakubu can provide a clinical edge against Boro which was lacking during last week’s 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa.

“We kept our first clean sheet of the season in midweek but the biggest thing for me was that we got three goals,” said Moyes.

“I didn’t think Aston Villa played particularly well against us. I thought we played better than them but they scored the goals and we didn’t.”

Mikel Arteta could return to the Everton midfield following an ankle injury, while Joseph Yobo has returned to training after illness ruled him out in midweek.

Veteran defender Alan Stubbs came in and should keep his place after helping the Blues to their first clean sheet of the season, although Tony Hibbert (groin) and Nuno Valente (foot) sustained injuries and are doubtful to face Boro.

Stubbs, 35, is one of the most experienced players in the Everton squad and Moyes knows he can rely on the former Bolton and Celtic defender.

“Whenever he’s played he’s done a good job for us,” he said. “Joseph Yobo and Joleon Lescott are a tremendous partnership but it’s good that I’ve got competition there.

“If you ask most clubs, they’d say there’s very few leaders about now. A lot of managers are looking for people to take up the mantle.

“But whoever’s out there for us has to take up the mantle and organise things.”