Moyes' Tribute To 500 Up Nev

Skipper takes praise as he makes 500th Premier League appearance.

David Moyes has paid tribute to Phil Neville after the Everton captain made his 500th Premier League appearance.

Neville returned from knee surgery against West Ham on Saturday and reached the quintuple century on Boxing Day against Wigan to join an elite group of top tier veterans.

Frank Lampard, David James, Gary Speed, Sol Campbell, Ryan Giggs, and Emile Heskey are the other players to have reached 500 appearances in the top flight.

Moyes said Neville's longevity was down to his unswerving professional attitude.

"It is unbelievable," said the Blues boss. "People would be amazed the amount of work and conditioning he has put in to get himself right. He just continually works hard.

"He is in every morning at 8.30am; he doesn't leave until late. The rehab work he puts himself through - never at any stage does he complain. He has just continually pushed himself to try and get back."

The Goodison chief hopes his skipper's actions are wearing off on the rest of his squad.
"The biggest thing that it should have on everyone in the squad is the impact of what he has done," continued Moyes.

"They should all be seeing it - they might not say it but I think they would all have to have admiration for how he continually prepares himself and the way he goes about playing.

"It has helped him recover from this injury."