David Unsworth says Everton Under-23s can fix their full gaze on trying to retain the Premier League Cup following Monday’s crucial last-ditch league success against Derby County.

Manager Unsworth’s side travel to Watford for their final group game on Friday already assured of a place in the last-16 of a competition they won last season.

Everton are top of their four-team section with a four-point advantage over Fulham in third and the two highest placed sides progressing to the knockout phase.

The match in Hertfordshire also affords the Blues a chance to gather momentum after winning 4-0 at Plymouth Argyle in their most recent cup game, before defeating Derby 2-1 at Goodison Park this week courtesy of Ellis Simms’ stoppage-time strike.

That victory lifted reigning champions Everton to seventh in Premier League 2 with five games remaining – giving Unsworth the “breathing space” to aim for a repeat of last term’s cup glory.

Unsworth's hands are tied to an extent in terms of team selection for Watford with a number of players out on loan – but the former Everton centre-half will freshen his side where possible following the effort invested in beating Derby.

“We will make as many changes as we can but we are short on numbers at the minute,” Unsworth told evertonfc.com.

“It was a 'cup final' on Monday and the three points put a bit of daylight between us and the bottom two.

“I didn’t think for one minute we were in a relegation fight but it gives us breathing space with some big games to come.

“And now we can pay a lot attention to trying to win the cup.”

Midfielder Einar Iversen was hurt against Derby and withdrawn midway through the second half. If Watford comes too soon for the 18-year-old, then, Unsworth will be forced into at least one switch in personnel.

“We will probably try to make a couple of changes but we don’t have the depth of players now a lot have gone on loan,” added Unsworth.

“Einar got a knock on Monday so will probably miss the game

“Myself and the staff will look at the Derby match, as we always do, then come up with a plan for Watford.”