In a season of growing achievement at Goodison Park, the failure of Baines to break into the first team consistently has been one of the few problems for boss Moyes.

A £6million signing from Wigan last summer, Baines was on the brink of an England breakthrough when he arrived from the JJB Stadium.

But a succession of hamstring and ankle problems has curtailed his progress, and he has made just 14 starts in the club's 41 games so far.

And there was even a point last month when he was due to have an ankle operation, before it was called off at the last moment in the hope that he could overcome the injury by playing on.

Since then Baines has figured occasionally in the senior side, but is now confronted with the outstanding form of Joleon Lescott at left-back, with Phil Jagielka fitting into the centre of defence equally effectively.

Moyes went to see Baines play for the reserves in their 4-2 defeat at Manchester City on Tuesday, and has assured the Liverpool-born 23-year-old of his future at the club.

Moyes said: "I've spoken to Leighton. I've reassured him. But he has got nothing to worry about because he is got a big future as a left-back here.

"If we are going to challenge for trophies in the future, I honestly don't think there can be a guaranteed place for anyone.

"We have got competition everywhere. The three central defenders have been absolutely top drawer."

He added: "There are people here who we are desperately trying to get games, just look at Leighton.

"We think the world of him and he is going to be our left-back for a long time to come.

"But, just at the present time, for different reasons, he is finding it hard to get in.

"He has picked up one or two niggling injuries and that has cost him. But I can see him being Everton's left-back for many years."

As the season hots up for Everton, Baines can expect to be more involved in an increasingly hectic programme.

Everton's desperation to maintain their place in Europe has been underlined by a decision to apply for a place in the Intertoto Cup this summer.

With Spurs winning the Carling Cup on Sunday, it means only the top five in the Premier League will be assured of a Champions League or UEFA Cup spot.

If one of the sides who finish in a top four qualification spot for the Champions League also wins a cup, it means that UEFA Cup spot reverts to the Premier League.

That will not happen now from the Carling Cup and will only happen in the FA Cup if Manchester United and Chelsea meet in the final.

Everton are still in the last 16 of this season's UEFA Cup and currently hold fourth spot in the top flight, but they see the Intertoto Cup as an insurance policy should they finish outside the top five.

Everton join Aston Villa, Manchester City and Blackburn who have already confirmed they want to take part in the Intertoto competition.

Everton's chief executive Keith Wyness said: "Clearly European qualification through our league position or via the UEFA Cup is our main priority.

"However because of the deadline for Intertoto Cup applications, it would be remiss of us not to put our name forward."