David Moyes on why he welcomes Sunderland selection headache

The England Under-21 stopper hasn’t played since injuring his knee on Boxing Day but is hoping for a first team recall at Everton in place of Vito Mannone.

The Italian, who had kept two clean sheets against Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, conceded four against Southampton after being left exposed by his defence.

Moyes was keeping his cards close to his chest but admits he welcomes the fierce competition.

“I have a choice to make over the goalkeepers because Jordan Pickford is now back in training,” he said.

“I’m very fortunate to have two very good goalkeepers and it’s the sort of decision you want to have.

“We have to see if Jordan’s ready because he’s been out for a while. He’s trained and looked fine but obviously he’s had the best part of eight weeks out.”

The home-grown star had earned rave reviews before being sidelined at Old Trafford.

And the importance of an influential number one is not lost on Moyes, who harked back to his Everton days when he picked Nigel Martyn as one of his best Everton signings.

Martyn was picked up on a free transfer from Leeds in 2003 and went on to make 86 appearances for the club, playing a crucial role in the fourth place finish which would book Champions League football in 2005.

“I took Nigel Martyn from Leeds for nothing - I had my Tim Cahills, Leighton Baineses, Phil Jagielkas, Mikel Artetas, but I just felt Nigel came in with a great level of experience at the time and was a great goalkeeper for us as well,” added Moyes, who will take a host of ex-Evertonians back with him including Bryan Oviedo, Joleon Lescott and Darron Gibson.