With Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles) out for the season, James Vaughan (knee) not likely to return until the latter stages and Louis Saha (hamstring) still some weeks away from fitness the Toffees were in dire straits.

However, in recent weeks the likes of Tim Cahill, Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta and, crucially, the defence have come to the rescue.

Everton are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions and their run of six successive clean sheets was only ended by Liverpool in their Barclays Premier League 1-1 draw on Monday.

The pair meet at Anfield again tomorrow in the fourth round of the FA Cup when Moyes hopes the team spirit which has kept them in sixth place in the league table despite not fielding a recognised striker will again pay dividends.

Attacking midfielder Cahill, the goalscorer on Monday night, is again expected to perform the duties of a stand-in front man.

"We have had it now for four or five weeks and we could have gone under because we didn't have any forwards," admitted Moyes.

"But they haven't half mucked in and got around it well. Tim and Fellaini, everyone has played their part in trying to get results.

"The boys at the back have given us that opportunity by keeping clean sheets and defending very well and we have to base ourselves on that until we can get some of the forwards back.

"At the start of the season we were losing a lot of the games 3-2. It might have been good that we were scoring two goals but we were losing three.

"Now we have tightened up and look more like ourselves. I think the boys at the back have slipped into their form.

"Joleon Lescott, the goalkeeper (Tim Howard), and with Leighton Baines and Tony Hibbert coming back they are starting to show consistency.

"I think the bit we were never sure of was how fluent we would be going forward and what opportunities we could make because we don't have recognised strikers but we seem to have continued to make opportunities and get goals from it."

What has helped in that respect has been the return to form of Arteta.

The Spanish midfielder has scored three goals in his last four matches and his threat from set-pieces - as highlighted when his whipped-in free-kick allowed Cahill to score at Anfield - is also back.

Moyes has certainly noticed a difference in Arteta's delivery.

"At the start of the season they were not coming off but now it looks like they are and that is good for us, it is helping the team," said the Everton boss.

"A lot was talked about Tim's finish and [him] finding the space but I have to say the delivery in was excellent."

Moyes is still looking to bring in a couple of players in on loan before the end of the transfer window to try to ease the burden on his squad but he has also laid down a challenge to 20-year-old forward Victor Anichebe.

"If we could maybe add one or two players it will give the likes of Tim, Fellaini and Victor some extra help," he said.

"But Victor can play a big part and that is down to Victor in many ways.

"Victor knows it is an opportunity for him if he can get himself fit and get consistent and be a regular starter then we can see his progression coming to fruit."

Defender Joseph Yobo, who has missed four matches with a hamstring injury, is set to return to the squad, which is still without Fellaini as he serves the second match of a two-game ban.