Anichebe eyes Yak's spot

Anichebe: Ready to take his chance

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Everton striker Victor Anichebe is hoping to be given an opportunity to fill the void left by the injured Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

The 20-year-old is expected to be handed a chance to shine in the Toffees clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, but has set his sights on a regular role.

Yakubu has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, robbing David Moyes of his most potent attacking threat.

With Louis Saha struggling with a hamstring problem and James Vaughan recovering from a cartilage operation, Anichebe has suddenly seen his route the first-team open up before him.

Upset

"'The Yak will be a huge miss for us. Everyone knew at half-time at Spurs last weekend that his injury was quite serious," said the Nigeria interntional.

"I went in to see him and he was so upset - and I was upset for him as well.

"But this might be an opportunity to get a few more games, hopefully I will take it. I am just going to try and give my best.

"If I was to come in, or if Lukas (Jutkiewicz) was to come in, we would both be the same.

"We would just try and give 100 per cent for the team, and try and do well for the people who were in before and take on their mantle."

Development

Anichebe has featured as a substitute in six of Everton's last seven games, often being deployed in a role on the flanks.

The youngster insists he is happy to try his hand in an unfamiliar position, citing Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor as an ideal example of a striker who learnt his trade out wide.

"We've got Villa next and you look at the likes of Agbonlahor. He has played out on the right and on the left and now he is doing really well down the middle," he added.

"Even Thierry Henry played out on the left and that helped develop his game.

"Obviously I am not comparing myself to him but that helped his game and hopefully it will do the same for me."