Rooney axed as size matters for Moyes

Wayne Rooney is likely to be on the bench again for Everton tomorrow against Portsmouth.

Manager David Moyes wants a target man up front and is expected to recall fit-again Kevin Campbell to his starting line-up. As a result, Rooney, Francis Jeffers and Tomasz Radzinski, are fighting for a single place.

Moyes said: "We have to be really precise with our passing to try to play in Wayne, Franny or Tomasz. But when you have a big fella up there, you can be a little less careful and get the ball up there knowing Kevin will fight and scrap for it, as will Duncan (Ferguson)."

Rooney, whose form in the Premiership this season has been patchy, has shown his unhappiness at being substituted in recent matches. But in a interview in the club magazine he pledged his future to Everton and claimed "I want to win the league with Everton."

Meanwhile Birmingham are set to drop Christophe Dugarry from their attack for the game with Leicester. The former French international is being investigated by the Football Association over an elbowing incident in last week's home defeat by Blackburn and has struggled with his form this season.

Liverpool will be without Michael Owen and Harry Kewell for their clash with Southampton, although both have returned to light training after recent injuries.