Five Everton players with something still to prove

FOR the first time in what feels like an age, Everton enter the final five games of the season without fear.

- By JOE THOMAS

Each of the last three years saw the club mired in a relegation fight at this point in the campaign.

Such anxiety is gone this year after the revival under David Moyes, whose return in January came at a time when a fourth relegation dogfight appeared inevitable.

There is still work to be done, however. And Moyes has some squad issues he is yet to fully resolve.

With five games to go, here are five players whose futures could be shaped by upcoming games.

JAKE O'BRIEN - CAN HE ADAPT?

The biggest winner of Moyes' return has been Jake O'Brien.

The towering centre-back was signed in the summer, coming off the back of a big year in Ligue 1 for Lyon.

Sean Dyche's decision to leave him on the periphery of the squad appeared strange, particularly when he started Michael Keane and James Tarkowski at Leicester City when both were nursing injuries.

Now O’Brien has eased his way into Premier League football as Moyes’ starting right-back.

The hamstring injury picked up by Tarkowski against Manchester City looks set to leave him absent at the weekend. More games on the sidelines may follow.

This, therefore, feels a sensible moment to give O’Brien his first start as a centre-back in the league.

With Tarkowski entering the final year of his contract this summer and Jarrad Branthwaite being courted, this could be O'Brien's chance to stake a claim for next season.