Everton Football Club

• Nickname:Toffees
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42440

Arteta faces race against time

10 Apr 2008 - 16:09:00

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Everton's injury problems are showing no signs of improving after David Moyes admitted Mikel Arteta may be forced to sit out Saturday's trip to Birmingham City.

The Spanish midfielder has not trained this week because of muscular pains in his stomach and abdomen and joins Steven Pienaar and Tony Hibbert in the Goodison Park treatment room.

Meanwhile, Moyes has admitted that some of his side's recent displays have been disappointing, but insists that points are all that matter at this stage of the season.

He told the club's official website: "We didn't play against Derby but we got the win, which was vital.

"Obviously we want to play as well as we can in every game but at this stage of the season, the only thing that matters is winning.

"Just look back at the game against Fiorentina. We played terrifically that night but didn't get through, so all we're really interested in now is getting three points.

"We've not done awfully well against the teams down in the bottom half of the table recently and we want that to change against Birmingham but they'll make it as difficult as they can for us.

"But the players have shown great leadership throughout the season and I'm sure they will continue to do that in the last five games. I've got no worries on that score."