Smith hit with four-game ban

Defender Sylvain Distin has praised the management skills of David Moyes as he aims to lead Everton into Europe.

Former Manchester City and Portsmouth centre-half Distin believes the Scot has done wonders at Goodison Park, especially with the funds available to him.

The Toffees are currently sitting six points off fourth-placed Tottenham as the club harbour hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

Everton also face an FA Cup replay against Oldham next week as they look to reach the quarter-finals of the competition and a potential home tie against Wigan.

The Frenchman told France Football magazine: "When you see what he can achieve with the means he has, that is simply amazing."

Distin, 35, also held special praise for Harry Redknapp from their time together on the South Coast at Pompey.

"Wherever he has coached Redknapp has always had success which is not by chance," added Distin.

"On a tactical level he may not be a genius, but on a human management level he is capable of making you believe that you are the best player in the world.

"His words reassure and release you which makes you want to fight for that man."

Alex head into Wednesday night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Final second leg against Coventry with a 3-0 lead but Davis believes the fact the managerless Sky Blues have nothing to lose makes them a dangerous proposition.

"Coventry will come here and try and make things happen," he told the Railwaymen's official website. "They have to and they scored a very early goal at Bury on Saturday. They started well and we have to be ready for that.

"We have to get that balance right, when we don't over commit in numbers but can push on and attack when we need to.

"We will treat the game as normally as possible. It is important that we remain solid and keep our discipline on the pitch.

"If you keep 11 players on the pitch then you have a better chance of winning the game. We know anything can happen, they could score an early goal, so we have to prepare for every eventuality and we have."

Smith was sent off in the latter stages of Saturday's fifth-round tie at stadium:mk for leading with an arm in a challenge on Rory Delap.

The 32-year-old's ban was increased from three to four games because it was his second dismissal of the season.

Dons boss Karl Robinson said after the game that he would be appealing against the decision.

However, in a statement, the Milton Keynes club said unsuccessful attempts earlier this season to have red cards shown to Stephen Gleeson and Antony Kay overturned had convinced Robinson to not lodge an appeal.

"While the manager does not agree with the red card, following unsuccessful appeals to overturn red cards issued to Stephen Gleeson and Antony Kay earlier in the season, the decision was made not to enter the FA appeal process," the statement read.

Smith will miss the League One trips to Carlisle and Portsmouth as well as home fixtures against Preston and Doncaster.

MK Dons have had seven red cards this season - joint highest in the Football League along with Notts County.