Yobo impresses Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes has backed Joseph Yobo to step up to the mark in the absence of injured defender Phil Jagielka.

Centre-back Jagielka is recovering from an operation in midweek to repair the anterior ligament he ruptured in last weekend's 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City. Yobo will slot in alongside Joleon Lescott in Jagielka's absence and Moyes insists the Nigeria defender is an excellent replacement.

"I think if you look at the games we've played Yobo has played a lot of games." said Moyes. "You certainly cannot go through the season with only two centre-backs or two centre-forwards. Joe has played a big part of the season already so I don't think him coming into the team is that big news." He added: "Jack Rodwell is a possibility [to play] there if we were required to do so and maybe Phil Neville would be another if he was required as well."

Forward James Vaughan, who has missed five months of this campaign with a knee problem himself, said the latest blow on the injury front was just something the squad had to take in their stride.

Earlier in the season they lost Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles), Mikel Arteta (knee) and Victor Anichebe (knee).

"Phil's probably been our best player but we've coped all season without important players and we will have to do the same again," Vaughan told the Daily Post.

"I've been there but Jags is a professional and he will get his rehab done and be back as soon as possible."

Shearer calls for team effort

Alan Shearer has warned his Newcastle players they cannot rely on their big names alone to get the club out of trouble.

The Magpies head for Liverpool on Sunday three points adrift of Barclays Premier League safety with only four games in which to save themselves and Shearer insists every single member of the squad will have to contribute.

He said: "They all hold a vital role. The experienced ones, some of them will have been in this position, some of them won't. But I am looking to everyone, not just the experienced players. Everyone has got a huge part to play, a massive role."

He added: "But the spirits have been reasonable this week considering we haven't won a game under myself, and hopefully that will change rather soon."

If it is to change this weekend, Shearer's players will have to perform considerably better than they did in the reverse fixture at St James' on December 28.

That day, the rampant Reds, led by irresistible England midfielder Steven Gerrard, tore Newcastle to shreds as they romped to a 5-1 victory, which might have been even more embarrassing had it not been for the brilliance of keeper Shay Given.

The Irishman decided enough was enough in the immediate aftermath of the debacle, signing for Manchester City in January, and his close friend Shearer admitted it did not look good from the Match of the Day sofa.

He said: "It wasn't pleasant watching, to be honest, it was a bitterly disappointing game.

"Whether it was a turning point or not, I am not quite sure, but we certainly want to avoid anything like that again."

Brown rues spitting row

Phil Brown believes the spitting row with Arsenal may have damaged people's perception of Hull.

Brown alleged Cesc Fabregas had spat at Tigers assistant boss Brian Horton following the teams' FA Cup tie at the Emirates Stadium. The Arsenal captain was subsequently charged with improper conduct while Brown has also been charged by the FA over his criticism of the referee, Mike Riley.

Brown admits it may have altered people's impression of the club. "Possibly it did," he told The Times. "I can't go overboard about that because it's part of an inquiry and I'm under FA scrutiny, but there was a lot (that) went on after the game."
He added: "I would have dearly loved to speak to Arsène Wenger straight after the game.

"I would have put it to him manager to manager, instead of going public, but there was no access to him.

"If there was access, none of this would have come out. But I couldn't speak to him or get any sense out of anyone else.

"Let's conduct the inquiry and then we'll see what comes out.

"I think it's something we need to look at. For as long as I've been involved in football, there has been a culture where the managers have a chat beforehand and afterwards and it doesn't spill over into personal animosity.

"We talked about a Respect campaign for the players at the start of the season. I think the League Managers' Association have a duty to make sure we all get together and say that this tension just can't go on.

"I know there's long-term battles going on with some of the big boys, but it doesn't have to be that way. We should be able to talk to each other, manager to manager."

Sbragia fumes at Keane

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia has hit back at the perceived recent slights of his predecessor Roy Keane by advising the Irishman to focus on his own job at Ipswich.

Keane has spoken about his former club's relegation plight and confidence problems since taking over from Jim Magilton at Portman Road last month, and Sbragia - who worked for the former Manchester United captain as a coach before replacing him - appears to have taken umbrage.

"It just seems that if he wants a bit of publicity, he says something - but why not talk about Ipswich? Why is he always talking about Sunderland?" said the Scot.
"Roy left this club. He's not here and we don't talk about him, but for some reason he keeps coming back. I don't know why. Maybe he still thinks he's the manager.

"Maybe he's just bored and has nothing to do, so he thinks, 'I'll have a go at Sunderland'. I think he should just really concentrate on Ipswich. He's back in football. He should enjoy it."

Sbragia also appeared to hint at an untold story behind Keane's departure from the Stadium of Light hot seat earlier this season.

Sbragia added: "He knows the reason he left Sunderland and I know exactly why he left.

"I wouldn't want to go into print and say exactly what I know about what he said and what he did.

"But I don't know why he keeps talking about Sunderland. He has left Sunderland. I could go into more detail, but I won't."

Gerrard 'pleased' he snubbed Blues

Steven Gerrard admits he considered moving to Chelsea because he felt Liverpool were a long way from being title contenders.

The England midfielder was on the verge of a move to Stamford Bridge in 2005 and has been linked with the Blues since. However, the 28-year-old remained at Anfield and has been instrumental as Liverpool have emerged as the main threat to Manchester United in the race for the Premier League title this season.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "The reason the whole Chelsea thing came up was down to frustration that we were so far away from the title race. That's why their interest maybe turned my head slightly. But I look back now and I'm really pleased I decided to stay because I'm part of a top team here that can be successful."
As a Liverpool fan, Gerrard knows success at Anfield would have far more significance for him than winning trophies with another club.

"It would mean an awful lot more to be successful at Liverpool than it would at any other club," Gerrard continued.

"Don't get me wrong, I might have won more medals somewhere else but if I was to win the league here, along with a few more cups, that would mean a lot more than winning seven or eight trophies somewhere else.

"I can share it with my family, with the Liverpool supporters because I've been one of them all my life."