Everton manager Moyes lauded ahead of Macclesfield tie

David Moyes has been hailed as “one of football's “great managers” for propelling injury-hit Everton into the Premier League's top six this season against the odds.

Moyes has overcome the loss of four strikers to injury to keep the club on course to qualify for Europe for the third successive season after winning four of their last six league games.

He will again be without first-choice forwards Louis Saha and Yakubu when Everton begin their FA Cup campaign at League Two Macclesfield on Saturday.

Moyes has already led Everton to three top-six finishes in the last four seasons, including qualification for the Champions League in 2005.

Aged 45, the Scot is one of the youngest managers in England's top tier but Everton chairman Bill Kenwright also believes he's one of the best, having brought him to Goodison Park in 2002.

“There's no shadow of doubt about that, he's one of football's great managers,” said Kenwright. “He is a clever, committed, talented, painstaking, straightforward, thinking man's football manager.”

Everton's fine form has presented Moyes with a problem as the transfer window opens for business.

He is having to fend off interest from Arsenal for 12 million pounds-rated Spain midfielder Mikel Arteta while Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, who has been playing as a lone forward during the club's striker crisis, has also attracted plenty of attention.

The sale of Arteta or Cahill would provide Moyes with funds to buy replacements, but the Everton manager has insisted he is not interested in selling any of his key players.

Despite a lengthening injury list, Moyes is likely to field his strongest available side against Macclesfield in the FA Cup.

He is anxious to avoid another early exit from a competition the Merseyside club last won in 1995, Everton's last major trophy success.

Twelve months ago they were embarrassed 1-0 at home by Oldham, who are two leagues below Everton, while Moyes also suffered third round humiliation at the hands of lowly Shrewsbury in 2003.

Although securing a European spot remains Everton's main priority this season, Moyes wants his players to enjoy a successful FA Cup run.

Seventy-six places separate Everton and Macclesfield on the league ladder, but Moyes is taking nothing for granted.

“I was very disappointed we went out of the competition at an early stage last season. I don't want that to happen again,” said Moyes.

Macclesfield are 14th in fourth-tier League Two and, with average attendances of around 2,000, are one of the worst supported Football League clubs in England.

But a 6,000 full house is expected at the Cheshire club's Moss Rose ground as Macclesfield, who were thrashed 6-1 by Chelsea in the FA Cup two seasons ago, look to produce a shock.

Macclesfield manager Keith Alexander has seen his side concede nine goals in their last three matches although they ended 2008 with a 3-1 win over Chester.

“It's nice to go into the tie on the back of a win and there will be one or two players who will be worried about whether they'll play or not, which is a nice situation for me to be in,” said Alexander, who has spent his 15-year coaching career managing in the lower leagues.

“Everton's a different game. People keep telling me they've got no forwards but they keep winning every week so it'll be tough. I haven't decided yet which way we're going to go.”