Moyes sweats over Pienaar and Neville for Cup Final
Everton boss David Moyes is sweating on the fitness of South Africa’s
Steven Pienaar and veteran midfielder Phil Neville ahead of Saturday’s
FA Cup final against Chelsea.
Pienaar and former Manchester United star Neville both suffered minor
hamstring injuries in Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Fulham and face fitness
tests this week to assess their chances of making the Wembley date.
Moyes said: “Neville has a problem with his hamstring as does Pienaar.
We’ll have to see how they are - I don’t know about next week yet.
“Phil’s was a little worse than Pienaar’s, I’ll have to see how he is
as the week progresses.”
Losing both players would be a massive blow to Moyes but he believes
France striker Louis Saha has the potential to frighten Chelsea’s
defenders into submission anyway.
Saha is getting back to the form which saw him earn his 12.8 million
pounds move to Manchester United from Fulham in 2004.
Moyes saw Saha, 30, turn in a spirited performance against his former
club at Craven Cottage.
The Frenchman is now certain for a starting berth against Chelsea
given that Everton’s on-loan Brazilian striker Jo is cup-tied for the
showpiece final.
Moyes said: “I think Louis would be a player who very few would like
to play against when he’s at full tilt.
“His reputation, he’s played in big games and for big clubs, and I
think on his day he has all the ammunition to worry anybody.
“His problem has been getting him out regularly and giving him the
confidence to do that again.
“I’ve got to say I think in the last couple of games - two goals last
week and two or three attempts - I thought he had a good contribution to
the game.
“I’m going to try and prepare for the Final as we would for any other
away game. But the FA Cup Final will make things different.
“It’s the first time I’ve been there. It’s a new experience and I’m
looking forward to having that experience.”
LONDON, Monday AFP |
