“We have given Jermaine a chance from the lower leagues,” says the Goodison manager. “He knows and I know that we aren't 100% sure how it's going to go but we have given him the opportunity and we'll see how he goes.

“He looks fine in training, scores in training and will see plenty of match time. From that, we'll decide if he has been able to step up.

“He knows this club has brought players in from the lower leagues, and maybe players in those leagues know if they want to make that step up, Everton is a place they can do it.

“The best way for Jermaine to come into the Premier League would be to break in slowly and come off the bench and have opportunities.

“At the moment we don't have lots of options up front so he is well in contention for a start. If he plays one game and didn't do well, that doesn't mean he can't make it, and if he plays and scores six goals, then that doesn't mean he has made it. It will take a length of time for him to settle.”

Moyes adds: “Maybe if we had big money we'd have gone out and signed a top, top centre forward. But we don't, and we had to do our best by other routes. We brought in Jermaine who I thought was a good option, we already have Louis who we took from Manchester United on a pay-as-you-play deal, and we have Yak who is recovering from the World Cup.

“At the moment it looks like he'll be recovering here. He is getting into shape. If he is still here after the deadline then he'll definitely be used and selected. My gut feeling is that he will still be here.

“We are trying to get the Yak physically into good condition. I don't think many of the players who were at the World Cup, including those at other teams, are quite there yet. Physically they might be fine, but mentally they are not there yet.”