David Moyes has demanded his players deliver a performance to save Everton's UEFA Cup dreams after admitting they head to Ukraine in a fortnight as favourites to go out.

Metalist Kharkiv's 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Thursday night means the Blues must score in the return leg if they are to stand any chance of making it into the group stages and, if possible, do something they have failed to do this season - keep a clean sheet.

The manager knows it will take a big improvement to turn the situation back in Everton's favour but he has reason for optimism, given that a number of his injured midfielders - Mikel Arteta, Thomas Gravesen and Steven Pienaar - could be back in action.

"We're going to have to win there and play better than we did overall," said Moyes. "I thought they played quite well. At the moment we're out of the tie because of conceding the goal.

"But there's no doubt there are players missing who would have given us that extra composure - we can't hide that fact. Mikel Arteta has kicked the ground and damaged his ankle, I don't know how long it's going to be, I'd hoped he was going to be okay."