"There is a great character among the players. We have not accepted that because we are losing players through injuries that it is the end of the world and we can't win games.

"But we have not talked much about those who are out, it has galvanised us to a certain extent. We miss them and hope they recover quickly, but if they were fit and others out, they would expect me to do the same job."

Mikel Arteta had an operation on his cruciate knee injury today while Victor Anichebe will also visit a surgeon later this week for a further examination on his knee injury.

Moyes said: "Mikel could well now miss the beginning of next season, I do not expect to have him for the first month."

Arteta and Anichebe have been added to the long-term injury list of Ayegbeni Yakubu, James Vaughan and Nuno Valente.

Moyes believes his team have been drawn together by adversity. He says: "The players deserve the credit. If it was team spirit it was based on, Everton would be top of the league and probably European champions too.

"I gauge my players on what they give up for the team. We like solo stars who make things happen, but we love people who work for the team and their team-mates. That is what breeds spirit.

"We have self-belief, and the players know they are good now and want to demonstrate that.

"Managers have a part to play, but it is the ones who go out on the pitch who have to do it. Players like Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka, people that have been here a while and take responsibility.

"They know what is expected. If I did not turn up one day, I would expect them to get the right result because I trust them and they know what I want. They could get a result now without me."

Moyes will have teenager Jack Rodwell back at Ewood Park after a thigh injury, but admits he may consider resting a couple of his senior men with Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough in mind.

He said: "There is a thought to rest one or two with the FA Cup quarter-final at the weekend, but we do not have that level of resources and it is not something I can consider to any great degree.

"I do not even think the gap between us in sixth and seventh spot is big enough yet. We know the teams below want to catch us so we have to maintain our level to stop that happening."