Toffees target Cup glory
Steve Round wants to savour the joy of lifting the League Cup for the second time in his coaching career.
The Everton assistant manager was part of Steve McClaren’s backroom staff at Middlesbrough in 2004 when they defeated Bolton in the final.
Round has never forgotten the scenes which greeted the players after they returned home from Cardiff.
As Everton begin their campaign with a home match against League One Huddersfield tomorrow he said: “I was with Middlesbrough when we won it. I know what it can do to a club and what it can do to an area.
“It really did revitalise the whole of Middlesbrough. It was an incredible experience. I remember going on the bus afterwards and there were thousands upon thousands of people lining the streets.
“The fans do see it as a chance to get some success – rightly so and so should the team. We have stressed how important it is. It is a trophy you want to try and win. We went to the FA Cup final the year before last and we know what it feels like.
“The players are definitely up for it. They understand what the fans want. They will be going out tomorrow with the right attitude. They really feel it is time we should deliver.”
Round insists that Steven Pienaar, who is out of contract in the summer, will remain at Everton this season.
The South Africa winger has been linked with a swap deal with Tottenham’s Peter Crouch.
Round responded: “The manager (David Moyes) has said all along he wants Steven to stay.
“He is under contract and as far as we are concerned he will be an Everton player this season.
“There is no truth in the speculation. Steven has been a terrific player for us and is a terrific asset.”
Skipper Phil Neville will have a fitness test ahead of the match after being forced to sit out the 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend because of a foot injury.
Striker Ayegbeni Yakubu will miss the game against the Terriers after taking a bang on his shin.
Meanwhile defender Shane Duffy continued his comeback from a life-threatening accident by helping the reserves draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Duffy, aged 18, needed an emergency operation in May after severing an artery near his liver following a freak collision in a Republic of Ireland training session.
Round said: “Shane had a horrendous injury at the end of last season. It was touch and go whether he actually died. It was very, very close.
“He played for the reserves last night and came through it very well. We are very pleased with his progress but he is not quite ready yet for the first-team squad. Hopefully over time he will come through.”
