COVENTRY boss Gordon Strachan has vowed to make Everton fight tooth and nail for their Premiership lives.

"Other teams showed us no mercy when we were in the same position," Strachan said ahead of Sunday's Goodison Park showdown, "and we will have to be the same.

"Everton shouldn't expect anything less from us."

The Sky Blues, beaten just once in 19 games, have allowed midfielder Viorel Moldovan to return to Romania to prepare for World Cup duty and have striker Darren Huckerby doubtful with a leg injury picked up in training.

Striker John Spencer is Everton's only injury casualty, missing the game with a groin strain.

Tension is running so high on Merseyside that Everton chairman Peter Johnson needed police protection at last night's FA Youth Cup Final at Goodison. Everton drew 2-2 with Blackburn on the night, taking the trophy 5-3 on aggregate.

The link between Wanderers and Liverpool fans, generated in recent years, was illustrated at Anfield on Wednesday night when a banner declaring "Good Luck Bolton" was unfurled.

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