Everton FC boss David Moyes happy to include Ross Barkley in injury-hit squad against Manchester United

DAVID Moyes insists he would have no qualms about recalling Ross Barkley against Manchester United today – as he mulls over an injury-hit selection dilemma.

The Everton boss has concerns over the fitness of Louis Saha and Phil Jagielka ahead of the noon show-down with Alex Ferguson’s side, and must definitely contend without the injured Tim Cahill (groin) and skipper Phil Neville (ham-string).

Moyes, who believes he took a risk by fielding a strong line-up in the midweek Carling Cup exit against Chelsea, is keenly aware he must re-energise his available players after that depleting 120 minutes on Wednesday.

He said: “I’d definitely have no worries about using Ross. There’s been a bit of a clamour to see him. He was in at the start of the season but not quite at the level of being a regular, he was a bit below it.

“He was in, we had to take him out again and keep reminding people he’s not played much in two years. We’re having to develop him, and we’re bringing him up, getting him used to the speed and he will play his games.

“We don’t have the biggest squad, and he will certainly be involved in the squad against United, and he’s got a chance of starting as well.

“People shouldn’t be expecting Ross Barkley to be the one who makes Everton better at this stage, not at the moment, but the boy’s got a chance of going right to the top. It’s always the way when you’re a manager that whoever you don’t play is always the best.

“I would hate to think of ever sending a patched-up team out but it is a possibility. If Jagielka plays he will have to have an injection to have a chance. The big thing for me is to get some energy back into the team after Wednesday to compete with United.”

Moyes admits he would have preferred to not keep Saha, who has scored twice in the last two games, on the field for the entire game against Chelsea, but felt his hands were tied by other injury set-backs – something he fears may have harmed his chances today.

“We took a chance by playing a strong side against Chelsea, to try to get through in the cup,” he said. “I thought that game was the important one at the time and we wanted to do it, but you are always running the risk of losing players through injury. It has sort of backfired on me because I’ve had somebody sent off and a few injuries from it.

“Ideally I wouldn’t have given Louis that long because he’s got his confidence back and played really well in midweek,” he said.

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