manager David Moyes has revealed he is happy to be patient with the form of striker Steven Naismith.

The Scotland striker scored his first goal for Everton in the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League last month, which came almost a year to do the day since he damaged his cruciate knee ligaments, for the second time in his career, while playing for Rangers.

And Moyes believes it is crucial that both he and the club must be patient on the striker's return to regular first team football.

He told Everton's official website: "I do think the goal was important because Steven is coming back from a cruciate injury.

"I spoke to Walter Smith at the time and he said it took him a while to come back. Now he has had his second cruciate so we are still waiting on him a little but he did well in the game, scored his goal and it will give him that extra confidence.

"He will be a good, steady Everton player over time."

Moyes went on to reassure Everton fans that he believes Naismith can eventually provide the Goodison Park club with an extra dimension to their attacking options.

"He is a forward player who is used to playing in that area and scoring goals," he added.

"We have got different players who offer us different options. When you have Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar, Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith there will be a style you have to play with those players.

"But we also have Nikica Jelavic and Marouane Fellaini who give us something different as well. That gives us variation in our play."

 

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