EVERTON'S record signing Marouane Fellaini has forced himself through the pain barrier to be part of the club's FA Cup run and now wants a Wembley final as a reward.
Fellaini has been nursed through recent matches as he struggles to cope with a fractured bone in his back.
Fellaini was only risked as a second-half substitute on Wednesday in the 0-0 draw at Blackburn, but is expected to start tomorrow's quarter-final at home to Middlesbrough.
The Belgian said: "It would be fantastic to get to the final in my first season here, but we are not there yet. We cannot talk about victory.
"We have to concentrate on doing the right things on Sunday and make sure it happens.
"It is a very important game for us. But we are going to be at home and we will do all we can to get that victory - but being at home could be decisive."
Fellaini had to wait until the fourth-round replay against Liverpool to get his first - and so far only - taste of FA Cup action.
He was an unused substitute at Macclesfield in the third round and suspended in the first Liverpool game, but played on that memorable replay night at Goodison before missing the 3-1 win over Aston Villa through injury.
Nevertheless, he has enjoyed the FA Cup experience.
He said: "It has been good. First of all we started out with a victory against a lower division side. Then we had the two games against Liverpool and got through.
"The game against Aston Villa was a great occasion and now we have a game against Middlesbrough.
"We are there on form, and if we give 100% we will get through."
Manager David Moyes is hoping for a cup triumph to celebrate his February manager of the month award.
Moyes feels the personal award is recognition of the performances of the players and now wants to add a major trophy for the club.
Moyes said: "Of course I am pleased with the recognition, but it is not for me, it is the players who have done their jobs. It is for the whole club.
"What I want is a trophy for the whole club to enjoy now, not just for me. It is hard to drag this award away from Sir Alex Ferguson these days, so that is something to be proud of."
He added: "I can only thank the players. We have had a fantastic February, and January and December too. They have done everything they have been asked, just got on with their jobs, and they have been on a great run.
"This is a tribute to the players, and the fans too, because they understand and have really got behind the team.
"Now I want to win something that the football club can have. That is the aim now."
Fellaini was only risked as a second-half substitute on Wednesday in the 0-0 draw at Blackburn, but is expected to start tomorrow's quarter-final at home to Middlesbrough.
The Belgian said: "It would be fantastic to get to the final in my first season here, but we are not there yet. We cannot talk about victory.
"We have to concentrate on doing the right things on Sunday and make sure it happens.
"It is a very important game for us. But we are going to be at home and we will do all we can to get that victory - but being at home could be decisive."
Fellaini had to wait until the fourth-round replay against Liverpool to get his first - and so far only - taste of FA Cup action.
He was an unused substitute at Macclesfield in the third round and suspended in the first Liverpool game, but played on that memorable replay night at Goodison before missing the 3-1 win over Aston Villa through injury.
Nevertheless, he has enjoyed the FA Cup experience.
He said: "It has been good. First of all we started out with a victory against a lower division side. Then we had the two games against Liverpool and got through.
"The game against Aston Villa was a great occasion and now we have a game against Middlesbrough.
"We are there on form, and if we give 100% we will get through."
Manager David Moyes is hoping for a cup triumph to celebrate his February manager of the month award.
Moyes feels the personal award is recognition of the performances of the players and now wants to add a major trophy for the club.
Moyes said: "Of course I am pleased with the recognition, but it is not for me, it is the players who have done their jobs. It is for the whole club.
"What I want is a trophy for the whole club to enjoy now, not just for me. It is hard to drag this award away from Sir Alex Ferguson these days, so that is something to be proud of."
He added: "I can only thank the players. We have had a fantastic February, and January and December too. They have done everything they have been asked, just got on with their jobs, and they have been on a great run.
"This is a tribute to the players, and the fans too, because they understand and have really got behind the team.
"Now I want to win something that the football club can have. That is the aim now."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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