Moyes backing Li Tie to return at Everton
(4thegame)
Updated: 2005-11-15 09:03

David Moyes insists Li Tie still has a future at Everton and can fight his way back into the side after his career-threatening injury.

Moyes believes the China international has a long way to go before he can regain his place in the side following a horrendous shin injury picked up in February 2004.

The boss believes that playing international football for China and reserve-team football for Everton is helping the player in his rehabilitation, but insisted he has still got a lot of work to do to regain his full match fitness.

"He is much fitter now but I still feel he is lacking the sharpness necessary," Moyes told the club's official website.

"He's played games for the reserves but it has been tough for the player. That injury was a bad one and it has been a really hard time for the boy.

"He has played a lot of reserve games and he is training but because he has been out for so long you can see he is still not himself and back up to full fitness.

"Yes he is fit, but I still feel he needs more games before we really consider him to play for the first team.