What The Papers Say - 18 April

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

The Liverpool ECHO focuses on Everton’s team news ahead of the Blues’ Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday (3pm BST).

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, manager David Moyes revealed Dwight McNeil is in contention to start, with Jesper Lindstrøm (hernia), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (hamstring) and Orel Mangala (knee) all unavailable for the Toffees.

McNeil had been out of action since the Blues’ 4-0 victory over Wolves in December, but made his comeback during the Toffees’ 1-1 draw with Arsenal earlier this month.

Moyes said: "I think he's getting much more ready. He's had another couple of weeks training under his belt and he's beginning to get short periods of games.

"He's getting up to the intensity a bit better but you've got to remember he's been out for a long time. 

"He's really important to us. We need him for set-piece deliveries, all sorts of things, and I have to say I'm glad to get him back. Whether he's quite ready [to start] yet, I don't know but we'll be happy to involve him if required."

The outlet also writes about Moyes’ visit to Everton Stadium, after the Scot made the trip to Everton’s new home this week.

He said: “I went to the stadium on Wednesday. I was hugely impressed by the bowl inside, it was steep, and I don’t think there looks to be a bad seat in the house, to be honest.

“It looks easy to watch games, it was very good. The pitch has been dug up again, so I didn’t go right into the middle and look at it like that. There is still lots to get done on the inside yet."

Goodison Park will lay host to two more games after Saturday’s clash with Pep Guardiola’s side.

“It will be great, the atmosphere will be great and I’m sure everybody is looking forward to it,” added Moyes.

“I think the big thing for us is can we go there and make sure we start the season well at a new stadium. We need to get off to a good start and things go well.”