Moyes: I won't fast-track Rodwell for England

David Moyes has warned that Jack Rodwell won't be fast-tracked into the England team.

Instead, the Everton manager yesterday insisted that the teenage sensation must first earn the right to a regular starting place at Goodison.

With national team coach Fabio Capello now looking for the next generation of young stars to build his side around, Rodwell has been identified as the future saviour of his country.

He also signed a new, five year deal with Everton in the summer, to suggest that Moyes is ready to thrust him into the full glare of the spotlight.

But on the eve of the new campaign, as his side prepare for a trip to Blackburn, the Blues boss insisted that England's needs must come to second to those of his club side.

"There has suddenly become a focus on English young talent, and the need to get them playing in the Premier League," Moyes conceded.

"We have always promoted young players at Everton, got them in the team very early and we will continue to do that. But they will only get there on merit.

"Jack signed a new deal with us in the summer, and he has been a focus for England recently, but there is no guarantee for anyone to start. It's the same for Phil Neville, for Mikel, Tim Cahill, Tim Howard.

"All the players will be treated the same and they will play if I think they are performing well. No-one gets treated any differently.

"Whether they are English, Spanish, French or have just signed a new contract, there will be no special treatment for anyone. The only treatment the players will get here is the Scottish treatment from a manager trying to get the best team out on the pitch to win."

Rodwell will do well to win a regular place in the centre of midfield this season, given the quality of competition for a place, in an Everton squad Moyes describes as his "best ever".

Mikel Arteta is back to full fitness and regarded as just about the best in the league in his position, while Marouane Fellaini rose to a similar level before he was injured last season.

Tim Cahill and World Cup finalist John Heitinga are both highly regarded in a midfield role by their manager, while skipper Phil Neville's experience in that position is invaluable.

It all adds up to a remarkably strong squad for the Blues, with Moyes explaining that his talented squad is ready to give it a real shot at a top-four challenge this season.

And the Scots boss argued that the potential of his team makes reported Aston Villa interest in him irrelevant.

"It's a really good football club, Aston Villa, and a really big one. But I'm at one of the biggest clubs and I'm enjoying it. I want to work with the players and try to be successful at Everton," he added.

"I want us to try and do something this year if we can. I think we have a really strong squad and that gives us a big chance to do well. We are going to give it a really good go at doing something special.

"Maybe there are one or two positions where I'd like to have a bit more strength, but I'm more than happy with what I've got. I won't be using any supposed Villa interest to get more transfer money - it's not my style!"

Moyes has a doubt over Tim Cahill, and Steven Pienaar, while Victor Anichebe is still absent, but otherwise he has a full squad to choose from for a change.