DAVID MOYES has warned John Heitinga his World Cup heroics do not mean an automatic starting role for Everton – as the Goodison manager reeled from another midfield injury setback.

Heitinga has struggled for form this season since helping Holland reach the World Cup final in South Africa during the summer.

The Dutchman's appearance in last weekend's derby victory over Liverpool was his first start in more than a month and only his fifth of the campaign, with such a lack of action leading to speculation of a possible January departure as German duo Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich ponder a January move for the 26-year-old.

When asked about the latter's interest, Heitinga stated he would be open to such a move although he subsequently insisted he does not want to leave Everton.

And Moyes reveals he has told the player to regain his focus and accept there is no guaranteed starting place for anyone at the club.

“Maybe his comments came from a bit of disappointment at not starting in the team,” said the Goodison manager. “But for me, he hadn't been starting because I didn't think he had regained his focus from the World Cup.

“You could argue there are a few players that have come back from the World Cup and not got back to form. Johnny needed to regain his focus, we gave him as much time off as we could.

“I think he now realises that there is a big competition for places here, and it doesn't matter if you played in the World Cup final for Holland, if you don't play well then we can't start you in the team.

“He's the type of character who knows that is right and that's the way it should be in football. I told him I didn't think he was playing well and hadn't regained his focus, and in a way he accepted that.”