Everton FC defender Shane Duffy desperate to save money for David Moyes in January

Jan 16 2012 by Greg O'Keeffe, Liverpool Echo

Everton FC defender Shane Duffy desperate to save money for David Moyes in January

SHANE DUFFY wants to help ease Everton’s defensive headache and persuade David Moyes not to spend his limited transfer cash on a new centre-back this month.

The Republic of Ireland U-21 international was on loan at League One side Scunthorpe until the start of January, but returned when injuries to Phil Jagielka and Tony Hibbert left the Blues decimated at the back.

He was thrust into the limelight against Spurs last Wednesday when Sylvain Distin became the latest casualty, and Duffy started his first Premier League game for the Toffees in their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday.

The 20-year-old had a steady afternoon at Villa Park, and impressed former central defender Moyes.

Now he wants to convince his manager he can be a long-term addition to the first-team set-up at Goodison.

He said: “Hopefully I have tried to save Everton money and we will see what he (Moyes) says. I will just try and do my best for the club. It is up to him and if it is not what he is thinking I will just have to work harder.

“It is a good squad. We just have a few injuries but the manager believes. He trusts me and he gives me confidence. You can’t ask for a better manager to be honest and I am glad I have got the chance.”

Duffy admits his chance has been quick and somewhat unexpected, but he was able to shrug off nerves to ease himself into the action.

“It happened quick. I have got to be ready,” he said. “The gaffer told me to be ready if I need you. I was always preparing for Everton but I got the call and had done enough.

“It is a lot different from League One. Just a step up but I thought I did enough. I felt I did well and Johnny (Heitinga) helped me along and my team helped me along to be fair. It would have been better if we had got three points.

“I was nervous obviously before the game but I said to myself that you want to play as sure as you can. Playing alongside a Dutch international helps you a lot. I was delighted to play.”

“Every day I have worked hard to achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League so I have got that chance and hopefully I can stay around it and play a bit better.”

Duffy is from the same Northern Irish city, Derry, as new team-mate Darron Gibson, and was also impressed with how quickly the former Manchester United midfielder settled in on his Everton debut.

He said: “Darron did well. He is a good signing for us. He’s a good lad and he’s got settled in straight away.

“You can see he has got a bit of class about him. He hasn’t been playing for United so it is only his first game in a while, so you have seen him out there and he has done well against Villa and a few more games and he will push on.

“Hopefully some day we’ll play for Ireland together but I have got to stick to playing for Everton first, and it would be great to get called up for Ireland.”