David Moyes has challenged Ayegbeni Yakubu to become the first Everton striker since Gary Lineker in 1986 to score 20 league goals in a season.
Statistics show that Yakubu's form tends to tail off at this stage of affairs as during two years with Middlesbrough he never scored between the last week in February and the final match of the season - barren runs of 12 and 16 games respectively.
"If he could get 20 league goals for us, that would be absolutely tremendous," said Moyes, who will check on the fitness of Mikel Arteta, Steven Pienaar and Manuel Fernandes.
He told the Liverpool Echo: "Yak has played a big part for us and I think we all realise now that he is not just a goalscorer but he is a very good
footballer, with great intelligence and seems to be improving week by week. "His all-round play is of a high standard and he is an important member of the squad. Remember that he had been away for a month before he came back into the starting line-up and we hope the good form he has been showing continues.
"He is always looking to improve his tally, which every good forward should do, and hopefully he will get a few more for us. We were really pleased with him against Man City and we want him to continue like that."
