KEITH Alexander has dismissed suggestions that his Macclesfield side have a gift-wrapped opportunity to pull off a major upset when they face injury-ravaged Everton at home in the FA Cup third round.

"Everyone keeps telling me that Everton have no strikers, but I don't buy that," he said.

"Just look at the way players like Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta keep raiding through from midfield.

"The truth is they can all play up there and they're all superb players, whether in defence, midfield or up front.

"I admire all their players. Every one of them appears to be an absolute credit to his profession - as, of course, is their manager David Moyes, whom I would describe as a managers' manager.

"Of all the top managers in the Premier League, he has probably achieved the most with the least money.

Record

"His record is fantastic. He learned his trade in the lower leagues and now has a superb record at the very highest level over many years. He's a man I very much admire and against whom I am looking forward to pitting my wits."

Alexander added: "We are talking about one of the biggest challenges in Macclesfield Town's history and certainly the biggest challenge since we played Chelsea two years ago again in the third round.

"We just hope to do better than the 6-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

"The gap between the Premier League and the lower leagues gets wider and wider every year. Evidence of that is seen in how few players the Premier League pick up from the lower leagues these days."

Bad boy Francis Green is available for Macc again after suspension but is unlikely to force Evertonian John Rooney off the bench, who can probably expect to be greeted with a chorus of jeers, solely because of his older brother Wayne.

Alexander has been categorically denying that the Everton game has been in anyone's thoughts at the club but he rested Terry Dunfield for the defeat at Morecambe and 18-year-old centre back Shaun Brisley is expected to return in central defence, again after a much-needed rest in the 3-1 win against Chester City.

Alexander added: "We've had a lot of bigger clubs coming in to have a look at our younger players and they know this will be a big stage for them, a chance to show just what they can do."

Key opponent: Mikel Arteta - Spaniard can unpick most Premier League defences so Macc will have to be on their guard

Prediction: Macc 0 Everton 2 - Macc's only chance is probably complacency on the part of Everton, but Moyes will have his troops fired up

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

You can get 14/1 on Macc winning 1-0 with Betfred. For this and more odds, click here.

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