Right-back Tony Hibbert is the latest to raise his game with an impressive performance in an unfamiliar role in the centre of defence against BATE Borisov in Thursday's Europa League victory.

The future of the 28-year-old, the longest-serving player in the current Everton squad, became the subject of speculation from the moment he was taken off at half-time in May's FA Cup final after being given the runaround by Chelsea's Florent Malouda.

Moyes went in search of other right-backs in the summer and, after failing in his bid to sign Sheffield United's Kyle Naughton, he eventually made late additions.

The arrival of Atletico Madrid's Holland defender Johnny Heitinga and Australia international Lucas Neill, whose contract with West Ham had expired, certainly put the pressure on Hibbert.

But he has responded in exactly the manner Moyes wanted and the manager expects other players to do the same.

"What it has done is make the players realise there is competition," said the Toffees boss.

"I said we needed competition. We didn't have any, certainly in the first few weeks of the season, but we have started to get a bit more and I think that is helping.

"I thought Hibbert did a really good job against Borisov. The experience he has gained through the years shone through and he epitomised what we do at Everton.

"When we are little bit short people fill in and do a job and I thought he did a great job.

"We didn't know Tony Hibbert could do such a good job at centre-half but that was what we were down to and he went about his job very well - there might be other occasions this season when players have to do that.

"It happened last season when we played a lot without centre-forwards and the players who had to do the job did it very well."

Hibbert is likely to revert to right-back to face Stoke at Goodison Park tomorrow, although Neill will also return to the squad after being ineligible for Europe.

Heitinga is also back after not being registered in time for the Europa League and may well have to cover for centre-back Joseph Yobo, who injured a thigh before the midweek game in Belarus.

It is not ideal to be switching around the back four when faced with the set-piece threat of Stoke but nevertheless Moyes will demand full concentration and commitment from his players.

"Stoke will certainly provide a different challenge from the one we faced in the week," he added.

"They have players who can throw the ball a great distance and players who are powerful aerially but you have to cope with that as it is part of football.

"If you are brought up through the lower leagues, like I was, it was always there so hopefully we have the players to deal with it."

It was in the Championship where Moyes first encountered Stoke boss Tony Pulis, then in charge of Gillingham.

And the Scot has been impressed with the manner in which his counterpart has turned the Potters into a side which can survive in the top flight after a successful first season in the Premier League.

"Tony is beginning to look as if he has got a side which is establishing itself in the Premier League," said Moyes.

"They have made a really good, healthy start this season and Stoke don't look as if they are one of the sides that people are talking about that could do down."