Its a Team Game

Vaughny and Big Vic may have joined Tiny, Manny and co., on Basil's treatment table, but Nace is reminding the Goodison faithful that with only five games to go, Faddy and Nace himself are raring to go, and hope to play some part in Everton's push up the table. Between them they have only played a handful of games this season, so at the time when fresh legs are as rare as a Scouse kopite, Nace and Faddy will be only to happy to help out in the Blues push for Europe.

Nace says: "We have got a small squad and the gaffer never moans about it but we have got a few injuries and we are down to the bare bones, so I would imagine that everybody who is fit is going to play in some part in the remaining five games, so it is important each person looks after themselves when they are out of the team, and that is all I was doing." (13/04/07)

Grab Your Chance

Moyesy has been singing Nace's praises and he will fill in at left back on Sunday. With Nuno out and Sandro always injured, he has to.

Moyesy says: "Gary has done well since he came back in and this is a chance for him. He did well down at Reading, when it wasn't ideal to bring him straight back. He is versatile and he thrives on competition. We've also got Sandro Pistone who is not too far away, who can come in and do a job. We have to keep people on their toes." (11/01/07)

Training Again

Nace is set to return to full training this week, as his injury nightmare seem's to be coming to an end. Nace's knee took a bashing against the Skunks way back in September but according to Physio cum Super Sleuth Basil Rathbone, Nace is blasting the ball everywhere again. Glad to see nothing changes then. Welcome back Nace !!

Basil says: "Gary is doing absolutely everything now. He's been blasting the ball and we just want to ease him back into

Six Weeks Out For Nace

Basil Rathbone's worst fears have come true over Gary Naysmith and the full back can find himself on the sidelines for six weeks. Nace who took a bashing to his knee against the skunks has suffered medial ligament damage, which to you and me is a fuckin' sore knee. Get well Nace, over to you Nuno.

Basil says: "Gary's scan has confirmed our clinical diagnosis that he has sustained a significant strain of his medial ligament and he is expected to be out for a minimum of six weeks."

Nace says: " It couldn't have happened at a worse time really," he said. "I was getting a good run of games in the team and I was enjoying it. It's a minimum of six weeks out for me but it could have been worse.

When I had the scan they had to check for an cruciate or cartilage damage, because either of those would have required surgery. Six weeks doesn't seem a long time to me, compared with the length of time I was out last year with my ankle. When you've been out for seven months, six weeks doesn't seem that long." (27/09/06)

Knee Injury

Nace must wait and see if the injury to his knee, which forced him to be substituted at Newcastle, will keep him out for a long time.

Moyesy says: "Gary Naysmith has got quite a bad knee injury and we have to assess that." (25/09/06)

Lucky Charm

Nace believes after his ankle injury nightmare of last season, his fitness levels are better than ever. The Scottish defender is quick to point out that he is unbeaten in seven games for club and country since his return to full fitness, and he is pushing Nuno hard for the left back slot. It seems he is somewhat of a lucky charm, and he is giving Moyesy some nice selection posers ahead of Sundays trip to the skunks.

Nace says: "I got back last season and although I thought I was back I probably wasn't 100 per cent. I did a lot of work by myself during the summer - I came in during the holidays and did every day of pre-season and now I feel as fit as I have felt since I have been at the club. Starting seven games on the trot including the matches for Scotland can only help as well.

I missed the first game of the season but got back in at Blackburn because Nuno got injured and I have stayed in the team since then. If you add the two games I played in with Scotland it is seven games undefeated for me personally this season so long may that continue." (22/09/06)

Competition Is Good

With Killa gone, there is a place up for grabs on the left hand side of Midfield. With Nuno Valente the first choice left back, Nace will now be challenging Mikel Arteta, James McFadden and Leon Osman For the spot.

Moyesy says: "Competition is what we want and it's bringing the best out of Gary. The other thing with Gary is his versatility and we may need to play him one further up now that we have sold Kevin. He has played as a left midfielder before and there may be times in the future when he needs to do so again.

Gary is playing well. He looks like he has got his fitness levels back now as it is difficult for players when they have a long spell out like he did. But he is showing us consistency and that is good. The competition is the same for all players but probably Gary has had to work that little bit harder.

Nuno Valente has done really well and we also have Alessandro Pistone who can come in and play there too. But he we are pleased with him just now and we hope he can continue as he has been doing in recent weeks." (06/09/06)

Praise For Nace

Nace has been the brunt of some fans anger over the past few seasons and he was given some stick for his performance at Blackburn during the week, but he got some great backing from the manager following his performance at Spurs against England International Aaron Lennon.

Moyesy says: "I have to say Gary Naysmith probably played Aaron Lennon better than I've seen anyone play Aaron Lennon in a long, long, time." (27/08/06)

Gary Naysmith 2005/2006     Everton 1st Team Squad 2006/07