“We have to show potential. We have to show people this is where we should be, where we hope to be, and that we are making headway and moving in the right direction.

“We have some good young players and a balance that can hopefully continue to give us a level of success.”

While remaining reluctant to burden his team with any specific targets, Moyes is keen his players ensure they have something to play for during the closing weeks of the season.

“The last third of the season is always the business end,” said the Everton manager. “The games are always involving teams who are going for the Premier League title or Europa League place, teams who are looking to avoid relegation.

“It’s always the most exciting time and we have to make sure that we have something to play for.

“I think the players are good enough to be in the top five or six again, and they sense it as well.

“But I don’t want to set any targets for this season. What would be successful? Our form continuing to be at the level it’s at and improving, and we see where that ends up.

“Being successful might be finishing in the top half of the table this season, after the way we started.”

Mikel Arteta is a doubt for today’s game with the groin strain that threatened his involvement in midweek against Sunderland having not yet properly healed.

Dan Gosling remains out, but Jack Rodwell could return on the bench after missing the last five weeks with a hamstring problem.

“Jack is back in training and Dan Gosling is just a little bit behind him but has trained the last two days,” said Moyes. “Jack may be in the squad depending on the numbers, he has trained for the past five days.”

Phil Jagielka, who has been absent since last April, is still on course to resume running on Monday.