Defender Expects Quick Response

Tony Hibbert thinks that the squad is capable of reacting positively on Sunday.

Everton defender Tony Hibbert has called upon the players to respond to Thursday evening's defeat in Lisbon by taking three points at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues face Gary Megson's side at the Reebok Stadium and is confident that the squad can bounce back from a disappointing defeat in Group I of the Europa League.

"Yes, they should do, especially the bunch of lads that we've got. The games are coming so fast that you can’t dwell on anything, so you just have to get on with it and hopefully we’ll get a win now (on Sunday).”

Hibbert was one of three members of David Moyes' starting line-up against Benfica who was forced to play out of position due to an unprecented number of the squad missing through injury or ineligibilty.

The 28-year-old played alongside Sylvain Distin in central defence, with Seamus Coleman making his first-team debut in the unfamiliar role of left-back and Dan Gosling at right-back.

Hibbert - who made his Premier League 175th start in the 1-1 draw against Wolves last weekend - did concede that it was always going to be tough going into the game with the number of players unavailable, but didn't feel it was an excuse.

"I think it was. I think the lads coming here were young and also we had players in positions that they hadn't played before. I think it was going to be hard and coming here to play Benfica, it is.

"Yes, but there's still 11 players in the team, so the lads who put the shirt on have got to go out and give their best. I think the lads done that, but we come unstuck. I think we were a lot better in the first half than the second. And now, I think we need to look at that as we've got games that are coming up thick and fast."