Interim manager Chris Roberts is certain Everton Women have the necessary fight within the ranks to turn their season around ahead of the Blues' trip to Charlton Athletic this weekend. 

Everton have suffered recent disappointment in the shape of back-to-back defeats in the league, with their last victory a thumping 4-0 win at Huddersfield Town in the previous round of the Vitality Women's FA Cup.

Attentions once again turn to the Cup on Sunday (1pm GMT kick-off), with temporary boss Roberts highlighting the fifth-round tie at The Oakwood as the group's "main priority".

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “There’s no getting away from the league table or the fact that it has been a really challenging year.

“We’ve been through a lot, but the players are still showing me everyday that they’re in this fight and are prepared to do what it takes to improve.

“Our main priority right now is this FA Cup match. It’s a huge, challenging game for us.

“There’s a real desire from the group to hit the level of performances that we know we can achieve.

“It’s important to recognise that yes, we are in a tough spot, but we also recognise that there’s a way out of this difficult period.

“The staff and players are working hard to improve the situation to make sure that we finish this season as strong as possible.”

Charlton currently sit third in the second division, having conceded only twice in their past 10 matches.

And Roberts insists his players will not underestimate the task in hand.

“When we have analysed Charlton, we’ve looked at their run of form," the Scot continued.

“Their run of form over the past 10 games has been incredible.

“They are very well organised, very dangerous going forward.

“We know it’s going to be a very tough test, especially away from home, but our players will be prepared for that.

“In the FA Cup you need to take away the fact that the two teams are in different leagues.

“You need to treat the opposition with the respect that they deserve.

“They’ve got 11 players on the park, the same as us so when that first whistle goes it’s up to us to manage the game.

“The message is clear from me, I’m taking this game very seriously.

“It’s not a game that I’m looking to rest players or rotate the squad.

“The best 11 on the day will play because this game is so important to us.

“Our preparation and detail so far for Charlton has been very good.

“Now, we want to do our talking on the pitch.”

The interim boss also outlined the importance of positive results - regardless of the competition - to help heal the morale of the squad.

March is set to be the busiest month of the season thus far for the Toffees, but Roberts believes a positive run of results in the upcoming period can create the necessary momentum to go far in the FA Cup.

“We are treating every game as a final because that’s how important every game is to us at the moment," he added.

“That’s something the players are aware of, and they are desperate to get into the next round of the cup.

“The players love the FA Cup.

“I know we’re not in the position of form to talk about getting to a final, but if we get past Charlton then we can begin to have bigger dreams.

“This is a competition that we love, and we want to go one step further than we did in the final in 2020.

“There’s no doubt about it, we need to play well [to progress into the next round].

“I’ve been really impressed when I’ve seen Charlton play this year.

“It’s going to take a big performance to take us into the next round.”