Ayegbeni Yakubu is out for the season with an Achilles problem while James Vaughan has just had knee surgery which is expected to see him sidelined for around four months.

Moyes' misery is further compounded by Louis Saha and Victor Anichebe who are both struggling with respective hamstring and back problems, meaning Everton are likely to face Middlesbrough on Boxing Day and Sunderland 48 hours later without a natural frontman.

However, rather than dwell on the negatives, Moyes was more eager to praise makeshift centre-forward Tim Cahill and £15million summer signing Marouane Fellaini who have both been employed in more advanced roles in recent matches.

He said:"The striker situation is a big worry for us, we still have real doubts about whether Victor or Louis will be available for any of the Christmas games.

"Obviously we are asking a lot of people to do extra jobs and play out of position but they have done that very well.

"They know the circumstances and in a way it makes you stronger because they are working ever so hard for each other.

"Sometimes when needs must then you have to stick together but we are also aware that we can't afford many more injuries or then we really will be short."

Regardless of their injury woes, Everton can be comforted by the fact that they have lost on only one of their last five visits to the Riverside.

And with Gareth Southgate's team without a win in their last four matches at home, Moyes is hoping Everton can take something from the game.

He added:"We are looking forward to it and trying to keep our current good run and performances going at this time.

"I think Gareth has a young team and he is trying to mould his team.

"He is having to cut his cloth accordingly, the days when they were signing the big stars has possibly gone for them.

"But they have always had a good academy and they have brought through their own players and Gareth has taken on that and done a good job."

Moyes also revealed that he has ordered his players to train at their Finch Farm complex on Christmas Day before travelling to the north-east that night for the fixture.

And he believes remaining disciplined over the festive period is simply a part of a professional footballer's job.

He added:"We will work on Christmas Day like most teams.

"If you are a footballer you understand that this is a time that you work.

"That hasn't changed for as long as I've been involved, in fact it might have been a heavier schedule in the past.

"Everybody is entitled to enjoy Christmas time and so they should, it is an important time of the year. But in the same breath you still have to do your job and footballers work over Christmas.

"There are doctors, nurses and police who have to work at Christmas as well so we are no exception.

"I think if you are paid like the players are then you would be happy to work at Christmas as well."