Everton Vs Portsmouth Latest News

By John P
September 9 2005

Saturday's home game against Portsmouth should be a home win for the Blues but with injuries and new players settling in, it could be an upset for the favourites. Valente is in the starting XI following injuries to Pistone and Naysmith.

Although this is Valente's first match for Everton it should be a time for the great portugese player to shine. Nuno is a regular for his national team in this position and at 30 he brings in so much experience it can only benefit the team on a whole. According to the official site, Irvine has stated that the player has yet to meet his team mates, and will do so on Saturday. Hopefully the transitional period for Valente will be short and injury free as Everton are now out of options for this position.

However, it is still unclear whether the injured Beattie will make a recovery for the weekend game. If he doesn't make the starting line up there is a good chance he will be on the bench as Everton struggle for options up front.

Probable:Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Valente, Arteta, Kilbane, Davies, Cahill, Bent, Ferguson