Moyes chasing European spot

David Moyes wants Everton to catch the teams chasing European qualification spots and has a score to settle against Bolton Wanderers.

When he was Preston manager, Moyes was beaten in a play-off game by Bolton in 2001 – an afternoon he has not forgotten.

“When I was manager at Preston they beat me in the end of season Championship play-offs around 10 years ago and they have been in the Premier League ever since,” Moyes said.

“It has always been hard to travel to Bolton because they have always had good managers – especially Sam Allardyce.”

“Bolton have done very well this year and Owen Coyle has got them playing good football. I hope our players will be up for the challenge and we know it is going to be a hard game.”

“We have been trying to catch up with teams like Bolton and hopefully if we can go on a run of three or four wins then we can be on the tails of the teams outside of the European places.”

“We’re only in February and we’ve got to hope the best is yet to come. In the past few seasons that’s been how it’s worked out so we are hoping it will be that way again.”

“A lot of teams at the lower end of the Premier League are playing really well and it can be quite unpredictable. There are lots of good games but also some that are very tight.”

“It’s very close and I don’t think there is a lot between the teams at the top and the teams at the bottom. Last week the team at the bottom [Wolves] beat the team at the top [Manchester United] so it is very close.”

Jack Rodwell (groin) and Louis Saha (hamstring) will play no part in the game.