DAVID MOYES admits he is having to coax James Vaughan back to full fitness as the striker strives to rediscover his match sharpness.

A litany of injury problems have restricted Vaughan to just 10 competitive starts for Everton since making his debut as a record-breaking goalscoring substitute more than four years ago.

The 21-year-old began just two games last season, a campaign wrecked by a knee operation that was delayed by almost a month.

Vaughan was eventually rushed back into action during the closing weeks of the season and even made a substitute appearance in the FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley.

The forward has appeared in all five of Everton’s pre-season games, but struggled to make an impression during a 78-minute appearance in the 2-2 draw at Coventry City on Sunday.

Vaughan is likely to be given another run-out when Everton continue their preparations for the Premier League season with a visit to Blackpool this evening.

And Moyes accepts that while the striker retains the ability to make an impact from the bench, he is still some way short of being considered for a regular starting role.