Tim Howard warns: There will no easy ride against Derby

Apr 2 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

tIM hOWARD

TIM HOWARD has warned Everton not to expect an easy ride against relegated Derby County this weekend.

Paul Jewell’s side were finally put out of their misery last Saturday when the failure to beat Fulham coupled with Birmingham City’s win over Manchester City confirmed their return to the Coca-Cola Championship.

The Rams travel to Goodison Park this Sunday with Everton desperate to drag their Premier League campaign back on track.

Defeat in the Merseyside derby to Liverpool means David Moyes’s side have won just one point from their last three games and trail their neighbours by five points in the race for Champions League qualification.

The slip in form means Everton are now only four points clear of Portsmouth in fifth and the final UEFA Cup place.

And goalkeeper Howard said: “Derby could be difficult now that the pressure is off with their relegation confirmed.

“They’ll still have pride to play for and a week after they get relegated I don’t think they’re going to rollout a reserve side against us.

“I think Paul Jewell is looking for players to stand up and be counted and they’re looking forward to next year so we’ll have a task on our hands but if we want to reach the places we want to get to we’ve got to handle the challenge.”

Most of Everton’s squad are currently on a four-day warm weather training camp in Spain. However, Steven Pienaar is facing a race against time to be fit this weekend after leaving Anfield on crutches on Sunday.

Scans have allayed fears of a broken bone with the South African instead suffering severe bruising to the calf and bone in his right leg.

Leon Osman is also receiving treatment for a knock sustained against Liverpool, although Andrew Johnson is poised to be available this weekend.

Victor Anichebe, who spent Saturday night in hospital with an illness, has undergone tests to diagnose the cause of the problem with the results expected within the next day.