Everton manager David Moyes was named the EPL’s manager of the month for October this week, but Everton have yet to win a game in November, although his much-improved side have yet to lose one either.

The Toffees have lost midfielder Leon Osman for a further six weeks after surgery on his injured ankle last week.

But there is better news of midfield colleague Jack Rodwell, who has made a quicker-than-expected return to first-team contention after his own ankle injury.

 

Moyes’ award is the 47-year-old Scots’ eighth monthly managerial accolade since he took over the Goodison Park hot-seat in 2002. And it is his third award in 2010 alone.

He led Everton to three wins and a draw during the month, including the memorable 2-0 derby win at Goodison over Liverpool.

That game was Osman’s last in an Everton shirt so far, as the 29-year-old limped off at half-time in the 17^th October encounter.

Osman had his operation at the start of the month. And Moyes commented: “We think he will be out for another six weeks now. But he seems fine.”

19-year-old Rodwell, who was expected to be out injured until Christmas, returned to the first-team squad for the 1-0 win over Stoke at the end of October and has since turned out for Toffees’ reserves.

He said: “Credit has to go to the medical team. Now it’s just a case of getting my confidence up and getting time on the pitch.”

Twelfth-placed Everton host third-placed Arsenal this Sunday.