Marouane Fellaini is the latest attacker to be ruled out, thanks to the two- match ban he incurred when, against Hull City, he picked up his 10th yellow card of his short Everton career.

There was some criticism of the Everton manager for leaving the Belgian on the pitch in the weekend’s win, given that it was common knowledge that the player was walking the proverbial disciplinary tightrope.

However, the tired old adage is that you have to take games one at a time, and Fellaini was having a decent match against a physical and hardworking Hull side.

If he’d have been withdrawn at half-time and they had come back into the match, Moyes would have been accused of trying to be too clever by half. It’s the sort of tough call that can only be judged with hindsight.

The result of the suspension though is that Dan Gosling or more likely Victor Anichebe will get a massive opportunity to prove that they’ve got what it takes at the highest level.

Anichebe has been a bit-part player for a long time now, and some have questioned his attitude and body language in some of the games where he has featured. There’s a feeling that he needs to impose himself more and utilise the undoubted strength and power he has.

His all-round game has improved though over the last few years – he just needs to start putting everything together now.

Hopefully he realises that he now has the best stage imaginable – a double-header at Anfield – to prove to his admirers and detractors alike that he has a real future as an Everton striker.