LEON OSMAN admits that Everton have to toughen up in training as they prepare for the visit of champions Manchester United on Saturday.

Everton have the worst defensive record in the Premier League and have conceded 10 in their first four home league games of the campaign, taking just one point in the process.

And manager David Moyes is currently enduring the longest run of his Everton reign without a clean sheet – 16 games following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Arsenal, which made it seven without a win in all competitions.

Osman gave his side the lead at the Emirates after nine minutes and they held on until half-time before Arsenal stepped up their game in the second half.

But the midfielder has identified the key to ending their miserable Goodison Park record – using their time on the training ground to iron out the defensive lapses that have proved so costly this season.

“Maybe we are going to have to start getting into each other (in training),” said Osman. “We have got to put it right over the next couple of weeks.

“We have shown how resilient we can be in the last couple of years but conceding goals is something that has been happening for too long now.

“Our aim is put to it right against United – our belief won’t wane this week.”