Fighting for a top four spot and unbeaten in their last seven, Everton are hoping to extend that run against Stoke on Saturday and claw back ground on fifth placed Arsenal.
Despite a long stretch without any fit strikers available the Toffees have cemented themselves in the European places and reached the semi final of the FA Cup.
Having fought back from a goal behind to Middlesbrough last weekend David Moyes' side took all three points after Louis Saha returned to find the winner for his second goal in three games.
The Frenchman's return to fitness is a welcome boost for Moyes who has been forced to rely on midfielders Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini to hold the front line.
The Everton boss said: "Louis is the only forward we have at the club who can provide that sort of goal threat.
"We are taking his return carefully and it will be up to Louis when he feels he can last a full match.
"When we can use him from kick off, it will obviously boost our chances in the cup and the league.
"Until this time Louis will start from the bench and this may be so at home to Stoke on Saturday."
With Victor Anichebe, James Vaughan and Yakubu all sidelined and key playmaker Mikel Arteta also out until the end of the season Everton are still in the European places.
Stoke however have slightly lower ambitions with Tony Pulis' side simply trying to stave off the threat of relegation.
The Potters moved two places above the bottom three with a 2-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers last time out, with January signing and former Blue James Beattie scoring his fifth goal in seven.
The former England international is certain to figure for City alongside Ricardo Fuller who also waded in with his first goal since November.
Stoke boss Tony Pulis said: "James' goalscoring record is great but he works hard for the team and is a good target man.
"James has played at the top and he gets the players together. He has brought something else to the dressing room with his larger-than-life character and will be invaluable against his former club."
Everton won the last encounter 3-2 at the Britannia Stadium back in September thanks to goals from Yakubu, Anichebe and Cahill.
And Blues captain Phil Neville reckons his team need to put the FA Cup to the back of their mind and focus on stopping Stoke and James Beattie.
Neville said: "Success is brilliant and getting through to the semi final was fantastic but we need to move on and concentrate on the next task, which is Stoke.
"Stoke have got strengths we need to nullify.
"They put in a lot of crosses for Beattie which has provided a lot of goals in the last month since he signed.
"We need to stop these crosses and win the second balls, and generally defending like we have been doing.
"Stoke have done really well and play good football with loads of energy and enthusiasm.
"Pulis has kept his side going and the principles of trying to get three points from every game.
"He knows the more three points he gets, the better the chances of staying in the division,
"He doesn't set up his team to defend and get draws and I think everyone can admire the job he's done there.
"I think it will be a really entertaining game and hopefully we'll be showing the attacking strength that we've shown in the last month or two and walk away with three points."
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