EVERTON'S fantastic start to the season is set to be officially recognised with David Moyes being named manager of the month.
The Goodison club are enjoying their finest opening to a league campaign in 26 years and are currently in third place in the Premiership table, just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
During September, Everton have earned three single-goal victories with a home win against Middlesbrough sandwiched by triumphs at Manchester City and Portsmouth.
Moyes was last named manager of the month in November 2002 when Everton were on a similar run of 1-0 wins. That season the Scot went on to be named Manager of the Year by the League Managers' Association.
The monthly award would be a deserved plaudit for Moyes's achievements after an unhappy summer in which he was forced to work under considerable financial constraints and his squad was stripped of its most saleable assets culminating with the departure of Wayne Rooney to Manchester United for £27million.
Victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison tomorrow would give Everton a fourth successive victory and move them temporarily into second place.
Alan Stubbs needed stitches in a head wound sustained at Portsmouth but will be fit to continue at the heart of a defence which has now not conceded a Premiership goal in 443 minutes.
Moyes may also be able to call upon Leon Osman, who missed the Fratton Park win with a groin injury.
Head physio Mick Rathbone said: "Leon Osman is doing well. He wasn't too far away from being involved at Portsmouth. He's progressed well this week, been involved in some light training on Wednesday and Thursday. We'll see if he can join in with the whole squad on Friday morning."
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