Everton Football Club News

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

• Ground:Goodison Park
• Capacity:42,440

Moyes: Pair key to success

12 Mar 2009 - 13:57:04

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Everton boss David Moyes has urged Steven Pienaar and Leon Osman to step up and fill the creative void in midfield created by Mikel Arteta's injury.

Arteta has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury and will play no part in the Toffees' quest for a top-six Premier League finish or their FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

But after Pienaar impressed against Middlesbrough and set-up Louis Saha for the winning goal in their 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory last weekend, Moyes believes he and Osman are key to his side's chances in the closing weeks of the season.

He told the club's official website: "Steven is playing very well at the minute and his cross for Louis was very important.

"He is a player who always gives us a chance of scoring a goal and we need him and Leon Osman to maintain their standards in the next couple of months.

"Steven had a slow start to the season. You have to remember he missed a good bit of time after breaking his toe and he picked up another injury shortly after that.

"But he is the one who, at the minute, is showing really good signs and we would hope he can continue in the same vein of good form."