Also on Moyes's radar is highly-rated Barnsley prospect John Stones but the Scot will have to move fast if he wants to firm up his interest after Wigan Athletic had a £3million offer accepted by the Championship side for the 18-year-old right-back.

Meanwhile, left-back Leighton Baines, the two-goal hero of last night's 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, is hoping to complete a West Midlands double on Saturday by helping Everton to a first home win over Aston Villa in four years as he side keep up their push for a Champions League qualification place.

He said: “It’s important that we keep winning games and picking up points in the right places, keep hanging on to the teams above us and close the gap. Also it will be nice to get a bit of distance from the teams below us.

“What we want is a good, exciting end to the season where we are competing and are in the mix. We are in a good position and are still in the cup, so it’s all still to play for.”

Baines secured the points against the Baggies on Wednesday night with the 12th penalty of his Everton career and he acknowledged it's important to mix things up with spot-kicks.

He said: “It’s important to have a variation and be able to mix it up in different ways. It gives you a better chance and keeps the keepers guessing. He [Ben Foster] went the wrong way and it was good to see it go in.”

The dead ball specialist opening the scoring with a rare strike from open play and he added: "I was coming forward and there didn’t seem like there was many options on. I would normally look for a pass or cross but decided to take the shot on. Fortunately enough it went in.”

Baines is one of three Everton players in the England squad for next Wednesday's friendly international against Brazil at Wembley alongside Phil Jagielka and Leon Osman.