Sam Allardyce believes his Everton side deserve ‘a lot of credit’ for their league position

Everton have taken 24 points of a possible 36 at home since Allardyce’s arrival

Allardyce is already looking at summer recruits (Getty)

Everton’s players deserve “a lot of credit” for maintaining their effort and intensity as the season meanders to a close, according to manager Sam Allardyce.

Southampton visit Goodison Park on Saturday and the 63-year old hopes his side can continue to perform strongly in their last home game of the season. Everton have taken 24 points of a possible 36 at home since Allardyce’s arrival, and he is pleased with the way his squad have continued to give their all.

“Asking the players to commit has been something they have taken up from day one and I think we have improved the level of the team consistently,” Allardyce said. “Players are giving everything they have which is why the results are where they are and where our position in the league tells us we’ve done that.

“All the first-team squad and staff have pushed us in the right direction and we have got ourselves in a favourable position in the league and we want to finish the next two games undefeated.”

Allardyce acknowledged that Southampton have plenty to fight for given their situation in the league, and thus that it will be a challenge facing them.

“We’ve got such a difficult game tomorrow because of the victory they had last week against Bournemouth,” he continued. “It gave them a real lifeline and we’re facing a team that is going to be fighting tooth and nail to try to get a result.

“We’ve got to try to stop that and win the game.”

The Everton manager will have to do without Dominic Calvert-Lewin (back), whilst Mason Holgate returned to training this week but will not be able to play. The defender will be assessed ahead of next weekend’s game with West Ham.