[goldenHuddlestone]

Nurnberg coach Hans Meyer has hailed Everton as a "fantastic team" but hopes his struggling outfit can make something happen when the two sides clash in the UEFA Cup tomorrow.


Meyer will be in desperate need of a success after crashing all the way to the Bundesliga drop zone and also bowing out of the German Cup - a competition he surprisingly won last summer.

Pressure is mounting on the charismatic veteran coach, who believes Everton are "playing in a different league".

He said: "Everton have a very strong side and they are in great shape.

"We will not watch them too much on tape because we already have a lot of respect for them. We4ll speak about their strengths as they don4t have any weaknesses.

"I know for a fact that we would not finish fifth or sixth in the Premier League even if we were injury-free all season long.

"The financial difference is huge. They have already had a good team and then invested 25 million Euros - do they already have Euros in England?

"It's like Bayern Munich and us - there is a huge difference but that does not mean we are unable to beat them on a certain day."

Meyer will again be without Greek international Angelos Charisteas, who is nursing an ankle injury, as well as long-time injury victim Robert Vittek (knee). Javier Pinola (shinbone) and Lars Jacobsen (groin) will also be missing.

Meyer is hoping to turn an ill-faded season around with a win on Thursday.

"I hope we finally get a much-needed victory," he stated. "If eight of 11 players don't play to their abilities we will not have a chance. Everton are very strong - both individually and as a team.

"We need to raise our games to keep up with them. It will be a good experience for us."