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Naismith unconcerned by injuries

Steven Naismith says that Everton's squad has the depth to deal with the current glut of injuries to key players and he is backing the Blues to come through a testing period in the season.

The Blues have been without the likes of Ross Barkley, Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy, Kevin Mirallas, Steven Pienaar and now John Stones for varying spells already but Naismith, who is Everton's top goalscorer so far with four, says that there is plenty of competition for places.

“I hold high standards of myself and I expect to deliver them every week," he says, "so it doesn't really matter whether there is a full squad fit and ready to play or if we have a few injuries.

“You see that on the training pitch as well — the standard of training is so high and that means there is always a lot of competition for places, which is good for us. As a squad, we believe that anyone can come in, contribute and do what the manager's asking.

“I think for the players who maybe haven't had as much game time, injuries mean they can sit up and see it as their chance to get a run of games.”

Having established himself as a reliable marksman in his favoured central role last season and carried that scoring form into the current campaign, the Scottish international is rightly content with the way 2014-15 his started for him personally.

“I've been happy with my form so far,” Naismith continues. “I've managed to contribute with goals and play that's led up to goals. Overall it has been a good start for me, but my mentality is that you're only as good as your last game.

“You've got to work as hard as you can going into every game, because you can find yourself out of the team as soon as your form drops.”

Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo

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