Everton goalkeeper Virginia targets cup glory but won't take Fleetwood Town lightly

Everton's Joao was on the Fylde coast only a month ago for the 3-3 friendly draw at Blackpool

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The Portuguese made his Toffees debut in last week's Carabao Cup win over Salford City and is expected to deputise for Jordan Pickford again in tonight's third-round tie at Highbury.

Everton have not lifted silverware since the 1995 FA Cup but they have a new optimism under Carlo Ancelotti, who has already guided them to their best start in the Premier League for eight years.

Virginia, 20, hopes to celebrate signing a new four-year contract with victory over Joey Barton's side to set up a tie against West Ham or Hull City in the last-16 next week.

But the keeper told evertontv: "Fleetwood are a good team and we have to win this match before we can think about the next round.

"We will go into the game with the same mindset as against Salford and try to play how we did in that game. We have a great squad, even for the Carabao Cup games. We have plenty of quality and talent.

"It is important to go out there and show everyone is ready to play. Everyone wants to win a trophy... we want to prove to the fans we are ready to win silverware."

Virginia is also hoping to maintain his own personal progress two years after moving north from Arsenal. He spent time on loan at SkyBet Championship side Reading last season until being recalled by Ancelotti in January.

He added: "It is a bright future for me here at the club. I am so positive about it and so happy to sign this new deal.

"I feel at home here and have done since the day I joined. Everybody at the club made me welcome. The fans have been terrific with me, too, so I'm so pleased to sign again.

"Mr Carlo is giving me the confidence I needed and for such an experienced manager to give me the thumbs up every day in training makes me feel even more confident. It is amazing."