Everton back on track despite Moyes falling out with Jeffers

David Moyes will send his Everton side out at Elland Road tonight with no thought for Francis Jeffers.

The Everton manager believes his side are playing as well as they did at any time in last season's campaign when they were only belatedly denied a European place. As a result, he embarks on the crucial encounter at a revitalised Leeds with more hope than he would have had a few weeks ago.

The 3-1 hammering of Spurs on Good Friday has all but chased away the fear of relegation. Instead, Moyes has had to deal with a row with Jeffers, on a season-long loan from Arsenal. The 23-year-old will not play for Everton again and will be sent back to Highbury on 1 June.

Jeffers turned up for training yesterday but was soon sent away. He is expected to be allowed to work on his own because Everton cannot deny him training facilities, but only when the senior squad have left.

Moyes acknowledged that the Liverpool-born player's career at Everton is finished, having cost £2m in wages and transfer costs. He said: "The situation is that we had a disagreement that led from a misunderstanding. Francis, at the moment, is not at the club and I cannot see that changing."

Moyes will have Wayne Rooney back from suspension at Leeds, where last season he scored the goal that gave Everton their first win on the Yorkshire ground for over 50 years. Moyes will be without the defender Alan Stubbs (groin) while Kevin Campbell (illness) is doubtful but veteran David Weir is back from suspension.

Leeds' caretaker-manager, Eddie Gray, is hopeful that the midfielder Seth Johnson, who injured a knee against Blackburn on Saturday, will be fit. Gray will also check on the fitness of the goalkeeper, Paul Robinson, who played at Ewood Park despite missing the previous few days' training with a stomach bug, and Didier Domi, who missed the Rovers game with a groin strain.

Dominic Matteo believes Elland Road is again becoming a place to be feared as the club fight for Premiership survival.

Leeds were a soft touch at home earlier in the season, managing two wins and four draws in their first 12 games. But in the last eight weeks they have had three wins and a draw.

"People can see we're trying our best, particularly at home," said the centre-back, who has been forced to play in midfield in the last two matches. "We're not playing the best of stuff, but at least the effort is there and we are having a go.

"Teams have been coming here and it has been too easy for them this season, but I'm glad they are now getting a tough game, and those yet to come are going to find it harder than it has been this season."