David Moyes, the Everton manager, has attempted to calm supporters' fears that he could leave Goodison Park by insisting that he is fully committed to the club. Despite chasing a second top-four finish in four seasons, Moyes's future has been the subject of much speculation, with suggestions that the Scottish manager has been frustrated at the slow progress over discussions about a new contract.

Moyes, whose deal runs out after the 2008-09 season, said yesterday that talks are planned for the summer. He added that he is keen to discover what plans Bill Kenwright, the chairman with whom he enjoys an excellent working relationship, has to take Everton forward and also wants assurances about transfer budgets before he commits himself.

“There should be no fear because it's not in my mind [to leave] and it's certainly nothing that I have considered,” Moyes said as he prepared his side for the game at home to West Ham United today. “I've still got a year to go, so it's not as if my contract is running out tomorrow.

“We've said all along that we would wait until the end of the season and then we'd look at it. I am interested to find out what the next stage is for Everton. That would be part of the discussion. At the end of the season, we'll know where we've finished in the table and that might dictate finance a little bit as well.”

Everton will move level on points with Liverpool, who do not play until tomorrow, in the battle for fourth spot should they defeat West Ham. Not that it required it, but that would add extra spice to next weekend's Merseyside derby at Anfield, although Moyes insisted yesterday that he was thinking only about West Ham. “I'm not looking ahead to that game until the West Ham match is out of the way,” he said.

While Moyes is looking for reassurances, Alan Curbishley, his West Ham counterpart, seeks to emulate the Everton manager. Curbishley, who is under pressure at Upton Park after a poor recent run of form in which West Ham lost three consecutive games 4-0, said: “Everton had a couple of topsy-turvy seasons, but, over the last three years, David Moyes has turned them into a top-six side. But if anybody is going to do that in the Premier League now, then they have to be given some time.

“We can do that at West Ham. This season we have hovered mid-table, despite the injury problems we have had. It tells me we can compete in the Premier League, I just need to get everyone fit so we have that competition.”