Jagielka: Everton cannot use depleted squad as an excuse

21-Dec-2012 2:35:00 AM

The Toffees will be without several key players over the festive period due to injuries and suspensions but the England international wants them to continue their fine form

Phil Jagielka insists that Everton cannot use injuries and suspensions as an excuse for poor form over the festive period.

Marouane Fellaini will miss the next three games after headbutting Ryan Shawcross, while the Toffees are also set to be without Victor Anichebe, Kevin Mirallas, Phil Neville and Tony Hibbert in the upcoming weeks.

Ahead of Everton's trip to face West Ham on Saturday, Jagielka told The Liverpool Echo:"It's not like we have had massive squads in the past, it is par for the course that we have 16-18 senior players,

"It will test our squad because it is always a busy time but the manager knows what he is doing and if someone needs rest then I'm sure they'll get it.

"We just have to get some much-needed points to keep us at the top of the league."

The Toffees are currently sixth after 17 games, and are only two points off the Champions League places.

The England international remains cautious at this stage, however, and is hoping Everton can show their typical strength in the second half of seasons once again this term.

He continued: "We don't want to be looking too far ahead - we normally have a good second half to the season but that is not a guarantee.

"The manager will be nervous now because this is where our season normally starts.

"It would be nice to put two parts of the season together rather than just one."

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern
Goal.com rates the players on show as die Roten edge out their Bundesliga rivals to complete the double after a closely contested Champions League final at Wembley
Neymar's choice: How he saw all this coming
Santos' star forward spoke to Goal's Sebastian Garcia a year ago about the fight for his services between Spain's two top teams and his insight was revealing
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
Goal Special: I-League Team of the Season
Each of Goal's correspondents select their own XI, before eventually settling on a combined team, which represents the best of the lot from the 2012-13 season...
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history