Moyes urges Vaughan patience

Everton boss backing youngster

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 12th February 2008

James Vaughan

Vaughan: Supported by Moyes

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David Moyes believes James Vaughan has a bright future ahead of him but has told the youngster he may have to bide his time.

Vaughan has been plagued by injuries since his emergence in April 2005 and has not been able to establish himself in the Everton starting line-up.

He was impressive as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 victory over Reading but Moyes admits that does not guarantee him a place in the line-up against SK Brann on Thursday.

The Everton boss is excited by Vaughan's potential but feels he still has a lot to learn.

"He has missed a lot of football and, even this season, he missed the first three months with a dislocated shoulder," Moyes said in the Daily Express.

"He needs to be a little bit patient. Centre-forward is probably the hardest position on the pitch and when you are 19 and getting in the squads you should be pleased with that.

Aggression

"What James has is that infectious attitude, enthusiasm, aggression and now we need to teach him a bit more about the game. If we do that, then he has a good future."

Vaughan and fellow teenager Victor Anichebe have found their path to the Everton side blocked by the likes of Andy Johnson and Yakubu Aiyegbeni, and Moyes accepts that it has become harder to integrate the young players.

He explained: "We have said to James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe that the standard is stepping up here and you have to step up with it.

"Both of them have to do that because the club is changing. It is a balancing act for me and it can be difficult."