UC: Everton v FC Metalist Kharkiv: Preview

20:00 UK Everton v FC Metalist Kharkiv

[Preview]

David Moyes admits the disappointment of Everton's last appearance in Europe still rankles as the Blues look to bury the memories of their 2005 UEFA Cup campaign when Metalist Kharkiv come to Goodison Park.

Two seasons ago, Everton were on the end of a 5-1 drubbing by Dinamo Bucharest that saw them fail to get into the group stage of the competition.

Moyes and his Everton players will try to set the record straight against Metalist, who finished third in Ukraine's top flight last season.

``I don't think we have anything to prove but the disappointment of that game in Bucharest is still with me,'' said Moyes.

``It was one-each at half-time and things were going fine, and before we knew it we were coming back with a terrible result.

``We do have a stronger squad now, with players such as Yakubu who had a great run in Europe with Middlesbrough. We are all more experienced and it's really important that we have a good run in Europe.

``But we have several injury doubts - we will have to do last-minute checks on Andy Johnson, Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar and Tim Howard to see if they are fit.''

Everton have been on scouting missions to watch Metalist in action, and although they are currently fifth in their domestic league Celtic's defeat by Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday has certainly focused minds at Goodison.

Moyes added: ``They are one of the better sides in the Ukraine and we saw from Shakhtar Donetsk beating Celtic that Ukrainian football is on the up.

``It will be a really tough game but we should be able to get a result.

``I think they will defend and try to make it difficult for us and get a result to take back to the Ukraine, so we need to be forceful and try to get a lead to take into the second leg.''

Everton will not be short of support however - as the queues for tickets outside Goodison Park testified - and a crowd of 30,000 is expected to turn up, in contrast to Chelsea where less than 25,000 turned up to see the 1-1 Champions League draw with Rosenborg last night.

Moyes said: ``It shows the importance to the supporters of us qualifying.

``To get more than 30,000 people for a UEFA Cup would be fantastic because some people are not getting those crowds for Champions League games.''

Stefan Wessels, who stood in for Howard against Manchester United after the American's finger injury, is likely to start again.

Source: Soccernet.com