DAVID MOYES has challenged Everton FC player Marouane Fellaini to prove he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Fellaini returned to action after a spell out with an adductor injury by delivering a man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup win over Tamworth at Goodison on Saturday.

The Belgian gave Everton FC a boost during the autumn by signing a new contract that extends his commitment to the club until 2016.

A number of clubs, including Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal, were courting Fellaini with the player having been due to enter the final 18 months of his previous deal.

But with speculation over his future having abated, Moyes is now urging the 24-year-old to underline his growing status.

“For what he can do, and for the talents he has, he could play for any side in the Premier League,” said the Everton manager. “He is an excellent player, and he can only get better with age and experience too.

“He can do all sorts of jobs all over the pitch. He is defensively good, he has good control, he can pass, he helps out in both boxes because of his size.

“And, even though he doesn’t look it he is a great athlete, a great runner with fantastic endurance levels. He has an awful lot going through him.

“He is a tad naive in certain areas, but I think if you look at where he was when he arrived and where he is now, he hasn’t half improved.

“His discipline is much better, for example. The only thing I’d say is, in his first season he scored about 10 goals.

“The challenge for him in the second half of the season is to be one of the top midfield players in the country, which I am sure he can do.”