SEAMUS COLEMAN wants to continue providing Everton with ammunition from the flanks – as he hopes to retain his place in the side against Manchester United.

The 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international had to be content with a role on the bench against Fulham on Sunday, but starred three days later in the hard-fought Carling Cup exit at the hands of Chelsea.

Coleman’s pinpoint cross set-up Louis Saha’s header for Everton’s only goal of the tie on Wednesday night, but the delivery was the former Sligo Rovers man’s first assist of the season.

And having established himself as a midfielder after emerging as a full-back, Coleman knows the importance of weighing in with more assists.

He said: “It is what I want as a wide midfielder - to set up goals and get a couple myself. I hadn’t had an assist this season before that so hopefully I can build on it.

“It was a fantastic run by Louis to get across the front man. I put it in an area and hoped someone would get there and thankfully he did with a fantastic header.”

Coleman’s place in Everton’s starting line-up has, for the last two games, been taken by in-form Dutchman Royston Drenthe.

But with the on-loan winger suspended for Saturday’s visit of Manchester United, Coleman is hopeful of starting.

“We will see what the manager says,” said the Donegal-born player. “We have great competition for places here at Everton,

“Bily came in against Chelsea and I thought he was fantastic so no-one is guaranteed a place in the wide positions. Hopefully I will get the position but if not I will keep working hard.”

Coleman also insisted that the Everton players wouldn’t dwell on the eventful Carling Cup defeat by Chelsea, especially with such a big game looming on Saturday.

He said: “It’s very disappointing, we all wanted to get to Wembley for ourselves and for the fans and it just wasn’t to be. I thought we had a great chance.

“We have to pick ourselves up for Saturday.

“The manager has said to us we need to get our heads on Saturday now.

“It’s really important to us; a massive game at home.”

Meanwhile, David Moyes could be preparing to let another of his wide men, France U21 star Magaye Gueye, go out on loan.

The Everton boss has only used Gueye once this term, as a substitute in the Carling Cup win over West Brom, and wants him to get more playing time in the Championship.

Gueye, 21, who signed from Strasbourg in July 2010, is still highly rated by Moyes but started the season with a broken toe and needs playing time to build his fitness.