And Moyes will look to improve other areas of his squad when the transfer window opens in January, with centre-back having assumed priority given Everton’s latest injury setbacks.

Sylvain Distin will not play again this year because of a hamstring problem, Joseph Yobo could be missing until February due to injury and international duty, and there is no comeback date yet set for long-term absentee Phil Jagielka.

“I could do with players in several areas and I hope to try and do that,” said Moyes. “Centre-back is one of those areas. I’ll always have to consider people who are available.”

“Joe Yobo is going to be out for probably four weeks with a hamstring injury. Syvlain also has a hamstring injury and will be out for the next three weeks.”

It means Tony Hibbert could deputise at centre-back for the third successive game, although Lucas Neill and John Heitinga – the latter back from suspension – are also available options to Moyes.

“John Heitinga who plays centre-back for Holland and Lucas Neill who plays centre-back for Australia, so they are both options at centre-back,” said the Goodison manager.

“But Tony did okay. I don’t see it as something we can do regularly. But we know he’s someone we can call upon to do a job there.

“I think you can get away with someone who isn’t a centre-back playing there in a short period, but not over a long period.

“You definitely need a specialist long-term in that position. For example, I don’t think Michael Carrick will consider himself a centre-back over a long period. People can go in and do a job for one game or two games if you have to.”

Dan Gosling (hamstring) remains out and Tim Cahill misses the game as he serves a one-match suspension for accruing five bookings.