Source: Liverpool_Echo
David Moyes: Captain Phil Neville is Everton's life-blood
DAVID MOYES has been astonished by the influence his captain Phil Neville has had on his Everton squad, even though he hasn't kicked a ball for two months.[LNB]Neville has targeted the trip to Old Trafford on November 21 for his comeback, after suffering the longest injury lay-off of his career.[LNB]But manager Moyes says that even though Neville has not been available for selection since injuring knee ligaments at Fulham in September, his impact on the squad has been considerable.[LNB]Neville has been a frequent visitor on matchdays and even made the trip to Lisbon for the Europa League clash with Benfica, even though he had no chance of playing.[LNB]'It's hard to put into adequate words how good Phil has been during the time he has been out injured,' said Moyes.[LNB]'He's at the away games, on the touchline with them all, he's in the dressing room before and after and at half-time motivating and giving them advice.[LNB]'He is showing exactly what we know about him, he's a right good character and is in it for the team and not just for himself.'[LNB]Moyes added: 'He is about everybody succeeding. He is part of a great core to this club.[LNB]'That includes Phil, Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines, Tim Cahill and Leon Osman.[LNB]'They have been the key to this side for so long, and we have been without most of them for long spells with some still out.[LNB]'People like Phil are still trying to be an influence, and it is pleasing for me for them to be so involved.'[LNB]Team-mate Sylvain Distin has been that rarity at Everton this season, an ever-present since he signed from Portsmouth for £5m.[LNB]The French defender has played every minute of every match since arriving at Goodison, but he maintains the injury-hit Blues can do little else but battle on after recording a morale boosting win at West Ham.[LNB]'We can complain, but it doesn't get us more points or get us anywhere,' he said.[LNB]'We have got a lot of injuries, but there is nothing we can do about it.[LNB]'We will use the players we have got and hopefully we will get some of those players back.[LNB]'But we will do with what we have and we do have enough quality to play better than we have so far.'
