David Moyes relishing competition in Everton squad as youngsters step up

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Everton manager David Moyes has heaped praise on his squad as the club hit form despite an injury crisis.

The Toffees defeated Blackburn 2-0 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run in the league to six matches.

The Blues have hit this purple patch without several key players, including Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill.

But squad players such as Apostolos Vellios and Magaye Gueye have stepped up and boss Moyes admits his big players are not guaranteed a starting role.

The Scot told the Sun: “When the big hitters come back, there are one or two who might frighten them more than before – so we will try and bring those boys on.

“It might not be a foregone conclusion for people to be number one. We need that competition and the young lads have helped that.”

The Merseysiders’ long injury list has seen Leon Osman take up the role of support striker.

The 29-year-old has struck up a successful partnership with Jermaine Beckford and Moyes thinks the playmaker has relished the extra responsibility.

“Leon is a senior squad member and maybe getting one of the main roles helps him,” he said.

“Wherever he’s played, he has been very good.”

Everton currently sit seventh in the league and face trips to Manchester United and Wigan in the next two league games.