Trio in defensive battle

Lucas Neill is hoping to keep the right back berth at the club but faces a battle with both Tony Hibbert and Johnny Heitinga.

The Australian defender is the player in possession of the spot but knows he faces competition from both Hibbert and Heitinga as the side prepare for two huge clashes this week.
Everton travel to Hull on Wednesday where a defeat would see them plunge towards the relegation places and they then face Liverpool on Sunday, wins in both games though would propel them up the Premiership table, and Neill wants to start both matches.
"It's always nice to play," Neill told the Post."I've just to keep working in training and when you get the chance to play you've got to try and put a good workload in.
"It's not up to me to decide if I've done enough to stay in for the next game but I hope I've put something in the manager's mind to keep getting picked.
"It's a friendly rivalry (for the place) and kind of good for the manager because he's got the choice of various players to play in the positions.
"Of course he doesn't have Johnny and I for European games, that's something which will come in January when hopefully we'll be knocking on the door for places in Europe and the League."