 RICHARD WRIGHT is poised to make his first appearance in more than a year as Everton begin their quest for Cardiff this evening. The Goodison side travel to Bristol City for their second round encounter with manager David Moyes expected to rest current first-choice goalkeeper Nigel Martyn. That would pave the way for Wright to make his first senior start since he was forced off through injury during the 2-2 draw at home to Newcastle United on September 13 last year. Although Moyes will take advantage of the opportunity to rest a number of other players, his assistant Alan Irvine is adamant Everton will not devalue the much-maligned knockout tournament. Irvine pointed to Middlesbrough's success in the competition last season as a catalyst for the Riversiders' good start to this campaign, with Boro also enjoying the added bonus of European football after lifting the Carling Cup. With Everton third in the Premiership table after their best start to a season in 26 years, Irvine also believes victory tonight is imperative to maintain the current feel-good factor around Goodison. "The last thing we want now is a knock to the confidence we have at the moment," admitted the Scot. "We want to keep the momentum going and because of that this is an important game for us. "We want to progress in a competition which could easily be won by a club like us and would then get us into Europe. "For just about every club out-side the ones in the Champions League, this is a great opportunity. "I would not devalue the competition. It is one which helped start the success Everton had in the 1980s when we got to the final in 1984. We didn't win the game, but it was the start of something special here. "There are so many reasons why this is an important game. We can't possibly look at it and say it doesn't matter and that we are concentrating on the Premiership. "We have to make sure we do as well as we can in this tournament." Everton's only injury doubt is Marcus Bent, who has been suffering hamstring trouble since scoring the winner in the weekend victory over Middlesbrough. Tim Cahill will again be considered for selection after serving the one-match suspension handed to him for celebrating his winner at Manchester City 10 days ago. Meanwhile, Everton have also agreed a compensation fee of £150,000 for 22-year-old youth product Peter Clarke, who moved to Blackpool on a month's loan last week and will now make the move permanent. | 
HAVE your say on our Blues Messageboard - click 
RSS News Feed