David Moyes has hailed Everton's 'never-say-die' spirit as they aim to shrug off their personnel problems.
Toffees boss confident they can overcome host of absentees
David Moyes has hailed Everton's 'never-say-die' spirit as they aim to shrug off their personnel problems and mount another European push this season.
The Everton boss is without 10 players for their Europa League match away to Benfica on Thursday but is confident his charges can come through.
Joseph Yobo and Leon Osman are the latest to join Everton's injury list, which already features Victor Anichebe, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Phil Neville, Steven Pienaar and James Vaughan.
Defensive duo Lucas Neill and John Heitinga are also unavailable for the trip to Portugal as they are ineligible.
But asked if he felt his depleted squad was capable of getting the job done, Moyes said: "Yes, it is part of what we do at Everton.
"You look over the course of a season, we have to fight very hard in the Premier League.
Consistency
"The last two years we have finished fifth so we have some consistency. Part of that has been our quality to never give in and I am sure the players will do that again."
The Toffees have made a positive start to their Group I campaign having battled back to win away to BATE Borisov and make it two wins from two so far.
AEK Athens and Benfica are joint second with one win apiece but Moyes claims he has not set a points target to secure qualification to the knock-out stage.
"I felt it might have been better had Benfica beaten Athens but that did not happen," he said.
"At the moment we have done our job by winning the first two games. We will certainly have to win at least another one to make sure we qualify.
Improvement
"The European games have helped us improve. The run we had two years ago when we lost to Fiorentina on penalty kicks showed that improvement.
"We go into all games trying to win but it is fair to suggest we might be happy coming to Benfica and taking a point."
Moyes' men will be backed by Everton's biggest support for a European trip for 24 years.
The club have officially sold nearly 5,500 tickets while many more fans are expected to travel independently, making it their largest away following since they won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1985.
"Everton have a big history in Europe, like Benfica," Moyes added. "The supporters are very proud the team are back at this level and playing Thursday night's opponents.
"A game like this is always exciting for supporters. We will have a big support here as we have done in many away games."
