Pair Fine For Final

Phil Neville and Steven Pienaar will be fit for the FA Cup final.

Phil Neville has allayed fears over his fitness ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final.

The Everton captain was substituted during Sunday's victory at Fulham and manager David Moyes later admitted the midfielder was suffering with a hamstring problem.

The same was true of Steven Pienaar, but Moyes expects the South African to be fine as well.

Both players trained on Monday morning and reported no reoccurrence of the tweaks felt at Craven Cottage.

"I've had a bit of a tight hamstring now for a couple of weeks," Neville told evertonTV. "I just didn't want to take any risks. It was the last 10 minutes and it was no time for heroes - I just wanted to get off the field, get it relaxed and I trained on Monday with no problems and I feel 100 per cent fit."

Neville can now concentrate fully on leading his players out against a Chelsea side who go into the clash overwhelming favourites.

The man who won 10 major honours with Manchester United has seen a unique level of belief among his current team-mates and insists the tag of underdogs is one which sits happily with all.

"This set of players are so determined to succeed," he said. "They're all at that age now where they want success. I've never met a hungrier bunch of players for success and we're just hoping this is our time.

"I think we're ready, ready to play in an FA Cup final and ready to win. I don't see or smell any fear. All I see is lots of confidence and lots of belief.

"We're massive underdogs and everyone knows that - Chelsea are a world class team with wonderful players. But we've overcome that tag before and we've been able to handle everything that's been thrown at us."

Part of the belief which has shaped Everton's season, Neville insists, is drawn from the stands and, in a direct message to supporters, the 32-year-old added: "I just want to say thank you for everything you've done this season. You've picked us up when we've needed it, you've kicked us up the backside when we've needed it and you always wear your hearts on your sleeves.

"It makes you proud as captain when you're filling other people's stadiums with your own fans. It's then that it hits home that you're playing for a big club with supporters who really care.

"Let's hope on Saturday we can repay the fans and give them all a nice present."

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