BATE Borisov v Everton: EVERTON MANAGER David Moyes has warned his depleted side they face a stiff test against BATE Borisov in the Europa League tonight.

Moyes is looking to build on the comfortable victory over AEK Athens at the start of the group stages. However he will be without nine first team members at the Dinamo Stadium in Minsk. BATE lost to Benfica last time out but Moyes believes their record in the Champions League last season deserves respect. They upset the odds to reach the group stages where they drew twice against Juventus as well as finishing all square with Zenit St Petersburg.

Moyes said: “We would like to get something from the game but I can’t stress enough how much a really tough match this is for us.

“If anyone is coming here thinking ‘BATE who’ then they are in for a big shock. We watched them against Benfica and they are a decent side. They are very good going forward and can cause problems. The priority is to try and win the group. I see Benfica and BATE as our main threats.”

Promising midfielder Jack Rodwell is the latest to be sidelined and did not travel with the group to Belarus due to flu symptoms.

South African winger Steven Pienaar was also, as expected, absent with a knee injury. The setback occurred following a challenge by Portsmouth’s Aaron Mokoena – his national team captain – at Fratton Park at the weekend. In-form Louis Saha is suspended while recent arrivals John Heitinga and Lucas Neill are both ineligible.

With Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe all long-time injury absentees, Moyes is low on numbers.