David Moyes has challenged Jack Rodwell to continue his encouraging early season form.

Rodwell teamed up with Marouane Fellaini in a youthful central midfield partnership last time out and the pair gained plaudits for their performance.

The England Under-21 star said himself this week that it was time to try and nail down a regular place, starting with Saturday's game against Wigan at Goodison Park.

Moyes said at his pre-match press conference: "That is for him. The young boy tag hasn't left him and rightly so, but he has been around for a while and it's for him to step up to the mark."I thought last week he did and he has now got to show that on a consistent and regular basis.

"He has to continue his all-round game, there's not just one or two things if you are going to be a central midfield player. He's certainly got a talent and that's why he is talked about so much."

Rodwell's partnership with Fellaini gained plenty of praise in the media and from Evertonians but Moyes warned that consistency of performance is vital.

"It's only exciting if they play well," he declared.

"I thought they did well last week but if they don't play well it won't be exciting for me. I have got other people who can take their place.

"I would like them to develop because they are young players and we want younger players in the team and in the squad."

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