Moyes backs Arteta for Spain spot

(GSM) – Everton boss David Moyes feels that Mikel Arteta would act as the perfect replacement for the injured Cesc Fabregas in Spain’s World Cup squad.

Arsenal’s Fabregas broke his leg in the Gunners’ mid-week Champions League clash against Barcelona, and is now facing a race against time to prove his fitness for this summer’s tournament in South Africa.

And Toffees midfielder Arteta, who has never been capped by his country, returned from an 11-month injury lay-off in January with his current form having appeared to have come too late.

But with Fabregas doubtful, the 28-year-old could now have a chance with Moyes still thinking that it is unlikely.

“I wouldn’t want his chances to increase because of injury to Cesc Fabregas – I don’t want anybody to be injured,” said Moyes.

“But I think Mikel’s form might just have come at the right time.

“My feeling is it will just be too late. I hope it is not, because if he could make the Spanish squad it would be something he’d be really keen on.

“The way he has been playing for us recently, he must be getting much closer.

“I know there are a lot of good players in Spain but if you are playing as well as he was and scoring goals as well, I think that could give him a chance.”

Something else likely to count against Arteta is the slight groin strain he is currently carrying.

Arteta had scored four goals in as many games before being rested for last week’s goalless draw at Wolves in the Premier League.

Moyes admits he is again unlikely to be risked as Everton chase an eighth successive home win against West Ham at Goodison Park on Sunday.

“Obviously if he is missing for a game or two now that will make it harder as well,” said Moyes.

“It is not something we should be overly concerned about but the way we put Mikel back in so quickly and what we demanded of him, in the end I thought something would probably go.

“The workload his body has had to take has been too much.

“It might be the same with Phil Jagielka because we have wanted to keep putting him in.

“We need to keep an eye on the ones who have been out for a year and make sure we don’t give them too much too soon.”