Everton defender Tony Hibbert admits he could be marking Tottenham's beanpole forward Peter Crouch on the weekend.

Hibbert is ready to help ease Everton's injury crisis by staying in central defence for Sunday's clash with Tottenham - even it means facing a striker one foot taller than him in Crouch.

"When they know they are coming up against Crouchie, any centre back is thinking the same thought about how to deal with his height," he said.

"But there's no trepidation when I'm asked to play at centre back. At the end of the day, it's still defending."

Hibbert added: "The injury problems we've have had this season are frightening and when the manager asks you to play in a different position you do all you can to help the team.

"I'm one of those defenders who loves the art of defending. You know you're in the back four to stop goals.

"That attitude has helped me when I've been asked to play centre back. I'm a defender, not a midfielder or forward, so I know how to defend."