Last Updated: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:55
James Vaughan helped ease Everton's injury problems with a 90-minute run-out for the reserves in Monday's 2-0 defeat against Hull.
The England Under-21 striker pulled out of last week's international game for his country due to a slight knee problem, but he came through this second string fixture with no problems. Vaughan will now be hoping Toffees boss David Moyes will consider him for a first-team return given the number of injuries blighting the club and the hectic fixture list of Premier League, Europa League and Carling Cup action in the coming weeks.
A strong Tigers side, including Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, George Boateng and Dean Marney ran out winners on the night, but Moyes will be pleased to have Vaughan back and available. The player was linked with a loan move out of Goodison Park to a Championship club recently, but Moyes will no doubt opt to keep him on board given the number of games coming up.
Meanwhile, Moyes will be currently pondering who will play at right-back for Thursday's visit of AEK Athens after skipper Phil Neville was ruled out with serious damage to his knee ligaments suffered on Sunday at Fulham.
New boy John Heitinga is ineligible while Tony Hibbert is suspended after being sent off in the second leg of the qualifier against Sigma Olomouc, therefore Dan Gosling is favourite to start the game.