Everton 3 - 1 Stoke City

Everton v Stoke City: Preview

Updated: March 13, 2009, 11:32 AM ET

The Dutchman injured a hamstring in training and is doubtful to make the squad to face the Potters.

Defender Tony Hibbert misses his second successive match with a thigh problem but striker Louis Saha is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after scoring in two of his last four substitute appearances.

Manchester City's on-loan Brazilian striker Jo is back in the squad having been ineligible for last weekend's FA Cup quarter-final victory over Middlesbrough.

David Moyes celebrates his seventh anniversary as Everton manager this weekend and has spoken of his hope of restoring the club's glory days.

Sunday's victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup - the last major honour the Toffees won in 1995 - set up a Wembley semi-final with Manchester United.

And Everton are also comfortable in sixth place in the Barclays Premier League with ambitions to make a late push to challenge for Champions League football.

The Goodison Park board's reward for keeping faith with Moyes is that he has turned Everton into a consistent top-six club but the 45-year-old Scot is not prepared to settle for just that.

"I have got to hope we can get it right back where it has been in the past,'' said Moyes, who signed a new five-year contract in October.

"I don't know if that is possible because finances play such a part in the game.

"If this was going back in years gone by and the money was equal I would see Everton as one of the top clubs.

"The difference why Everton are not one of the top clubs at this moment in time is more to do with finance than the team or the manager.

"The other clubs have a greater chance to improve their squad by buying bigger players from all over the world.

"Everyone has made a point about how well the club is doing. It is nice in March but it would be better for me if they were still saying the same things in May.''

Matthew Etherington has completed a three-match ban and returns to a full strength Stoke squad.

The midfielder proved an instant hit after signing from West Ham in January, but he may have to make do with a place on the bench at Goodison Park.

A 10-day break since Stoke last played in the win against Bolton has enabled defenders Abdoulaye Faye and Andy Wilkinson to recover from slight back injuries.

Defender Andy Wilkinson is loving every minute in the big time after finally cementing a place in Stoke's starting line-up.

The 24-year-old local player has had to fight tooth and nail to convince Tony Pulis he deserves an extended run in the side after playing second fiddle for several seasons.

But after moving to the top of the pecking order ahead of club skipper Andy Griffin, Andrew Davies and recent recruit Stephen Kelly, Wilkinson is determined to stay there.

He said: "I made my debut for Stoke in 2001, so it's fair to say it has taken

a long time for me to make my mark.

"But I've just kept my head down, kept learning off the senior players and remained focused on what I wanted to do.

"My aim was always to play regularly for Stoke City because this is my local team and I love it here.

"To play in the top flight for Stoke makes it extra special and having to fight so hard for my place is not a problem to me.

"I finally got my big chance when Andy Griffin got injured and I'm relishing the battle for my position. I'm winning that battle at the moment and it feels great.''

Wilkinson joined Stoke from local team Stone Dominoes a few days before his 17th birthday and loan spells with Telford United, Partick Thistle, Shrewsbury Town and Blackpool have aided his development.

Blackpool were keen to make the move permanent a couple of years ago, but getting in Stoke's team was always the player's number one objective.

He added: "I've always been treated well at Stoke and I was determined to stick it out. It was disappointing when I wasn't playing, but I refused to let my head drop.''